NASCAR Announces Penalties Following Pocono, Xfinity Series Mechanic for No. 18 Suspended

On Tuesday Afternoon, NASCAR released their weekly summary of penalties handed out to various teams, following an action-packed weekend of racing for the NASCAR Cup Series, NASCAR Xfinity Series and NASCAR Camping World Truck Series at Pocono Raceway.

Following Saturday’s NASCAR Cup Series event and Sunday’s NASCAR Xfinity Series event, a total of six crew chiefs have been handed monetary fines of various severity for failing to have all lug nuts secured on their cars.

NASCAR Cup Series crew chiefs, Rodney Childers (4), Todd Gordon (12), Ben Beshore (18) and Mike Wheeler (23) were all handed $10,000 penalties for these infractions, while NASCAR Xfinity Series crew chiefs Dave Rogers (18) and Brian Wilson (22) were each handed $5,000 penalties.

In addition to the six lug nut penalties, NASCAR has announced the indefinite suspension of Micah Horton for violating three sections of the NASCAR Rule Book (Sections 12.1, 12.8.a and 12.8.g).

Section 12.8.a – NASCAR Member Conduct:

NASCAR membership is a privilege. With that privilege comes certain benefits, responsibilities and obligations. Correct and proper conduct, both on and off the race track, is part of a Member’s responsibilities. A Member’s actions can reflect upon the sport as a whole and on other NASCAR Members. Ideally, NASCAR Members are role models for the many fans who follow this sport, regardless of the type of license a Member may hold, or the specific Series in which a Member may participate. Therefore, NASCAR views a Member’s conduct, both on and off the race track, which might constitute a behavioral Rules violation under this Rule Book with great importance.

Section 12.8.g – NASCAR Member Conduct:

In extraordinary circumstances, NASCAR may take whatever action it deems necessary to mitigate and/or rectify circumstances created by a Member’s actions including, but not limited to, negating the results of a driver’s performance and/or advancing a driver in the standings or The Playoffs.

— NASCAR Rule Book

Prior to his suspension, Horton was employed by Joe Gibbs Racing, working as a mechanic on Daniel Hemric’s No. 18 Toyota Supra until last weekend’s Pocono Green 225 at Pocono Raceway.

NASCAR provided no additional information regarding Horton’s suspension.