Ross Chastain’s Car Chief Handed One-Race Suspension, JD Motorsports Hauler Driver Indefinitely Suspended Following Michigan

Following last weekend’s NASCAR Cup Series and NASCAR Xfinity Series events at Michigan International Speedway and the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series event at World Wide Technology Raceway, NASCAR has handed down six penalties, ranging from monetary fines of $10,000 to an indefinite suspension from NASCAR.

Mike Wheeler, Mike Hillman, Jason Trinchere, and Mark Hillman have each been handed monetary fines from NASCAR for failing to have all 20 lug nuts properly secured on their respective race vehicles at the conclusion of the event. Wheeler (No. 23 23XI Racing) and Mi. Hillman (No. 51 Rick Ware Racing) have eached been fined $10,000, while Trinchere (No. 16 Kaulig Racing) and Ma. Hillman (No. 19 McAnally-Hilgemann Racing) have been fined $5,000 and $2,500, respectively.

David Fero, the car chief for Ross Chastain’s No. 42 Chip Ganassi Racing Chevrolet Camaro, has been handed down a one-race suspension, active for the next NASCAR Cup Series event at Daytona, for violating Section(s) 12.5.2.7.4 of the NASCAR Cup Series Rule Book, cited under “Loss or seperation of an improperly installed rear axle from the vehicle.” Chastain finished 35th, 48 laps down, after visiting the garage to fix the issue.

According to NASCAR’s Team Roster Portal, David Bryant will serve as the team’s replacement car chief for Saturday Night’s Coke Zero 400 at Daytona International Speedway.

Finally, Brian Thomas, a hauler driver for JD Motorsports, has been suspended indefinitely from NASCAR for violating multiple sections of the NASCAR Xfinity Series Rule Book, including section(s) 12.1.a; 12.8.1.a; and 12.8.1.e, which state the following:

Section 12.1.a – Violations and Disciplinary Action – General Procedure:

If NASCAR/NEM observes or is made aware of an act or omission by a NASCAR Member that constitutes a violation of the NASCAR Rules or that is detrimental to stock car racing or NASCAR, and if NASCAR/NEM determines that the act or omission is sufficiently serious to warrant the imposition of a Penalty, the Official shall report the violation to the Series Managing Director and/or Senior Vice President, Competition as soon as practicable.

Sections 12.8.1.a – Violations and Disciplinary Action – NASCAR Member Conduct – Member Conduct Guidelines:

Member action(s) that could result in a minor enforcement action such as a meeting:

• Heat-of-the-moment actions or reactions, either on or off the race track.
• Member-to-Member confrontation(s) without physical violence (e.g. shoving match, shouting match, or general “venting”).

Section 12.8.1.e – Violations and Disciplinary Action – NASCAR Member Conduct – Member Conduct Guidelines:

Member actions that could result in a fine and/or indefinite suspension, or termination:

• Statement and/or communication made public (including social media platforms) that demeans, criticizes, ridicules, or otherwise disparages another person based upon that person’s race, color, creed, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, religion, age, or handicapping condition.
• Being charged with or convicted of significant criminal violations (e.g. Domestic Violence, Trafficking, Assault), or having had determinations rendered by criminal or civil authorities that in NASCAR’s judgement necessitate action. NASCAR will not pre-judge guilt or innocence in the criminal or civil legal system, or the guilt or innocence of the Member, but rather review each matter in its own context and circumstances and with regards to its potential effects upon the sport.

NASCAR did not clarify the specifics regarding Thomas’ suspension in the penalty report and usually doesn’t elect to do so in most situations.

Full Penalty Report: