By Nathan Butler – NathanButler@OnPitRoad.com
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Kurt Busch paid for his actions during last Saturday night’s Bojangles’ Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway.
Busch, along with another member of the Phoenix Racing team as well as two members of Ryan Newman’s Stewart-Haas Racing team, were penalized by NASCAR for their part in the pit road incident that took place at Darlington.
Busch, who was fined $50,000 and placed on NASCAR probation until July 25, was cited for reckless driving on pit road during the event.
Craig Stickler, a crew member (motorcoach driver) for the No. 51 team, was fined $50,000 and placed on NASCAR probation until Dec. 31 for interfering with a member of the broadcast media.
Because the crew chief assumes responsibility for the actions of his team members, Tony Gibson, crew chief for Ryan Newman, has been placed on NASCAR probation until June 27. Andrew Rueger, gasman for the No. 39 team, has been fined $5,000 and placed on NASCAR probation until June 27 for failure to comply with a nASCAR official. Both of those violations occurred during post-race.
Official Press Release:
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (May 15, 2012) – NASCAR has fined Kurt Busch, driver of the No. 51 car in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, $50,000 and placed him on NASCAR probation until July 25 for his actions during the May 12 race at Darlington Raceway.
Kurt Busch violated Section 12-1 (Actions detrimental to stock car racing; reckless driving on pit road during the race; involved in an altercation with another competitor after the completion of the race) of the 2012 NASCAR Rule Book. Additionally, Craig Strickler, a crew member for the No. 51 team, has been fined $5,000 and placed on NASCAR probation until Dec. 31 for violating Section 12-1 (Actions detrimental to stock car racing; interfering with a member of the broadcast media).
Tony Gibson, crew chief for the No. 39 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series team, has been placed on NASCAR probation until June 27 for violating Section 12-1 and Sections 12-4G and 9-4A (Crew chief assumes responsibility for the actions of his team members). Andrew Rueger, a crew member for the No. 39 team, has been fined $5,000 and placed on NASCAR probation until June 27 for violating Section 12-1 (Actions detrimental to stock car racing; failure to comply with a directive from a NASCAR official). Both of these violations occurred post-race.