NSCS/NXS: No. 33 Circle Sport Racing and No. 8 TriStar Motorsports Penalized by NASCAR

On Wednesday, March 25th, NASCAR announced a pair of penalties towards a pair of teams following the events at Auto Club Speedway.

During opening day inspection for the Sprint Cup Series. the No. 33 Circle Sport Racing Chevrolet was found in violation with regards to the rules surrounding the truck trailing arm. As a result, crew chief Slugger Labbe was fined $50,000 and suspended for the next three NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Championship races, plus any non-championship races or special events which might occur during that time period. Labbe was also been placed on NASCAR probation through Dec. 31. In addition, car owner Joe Falk has been docked 25 championship car owner points.

The breakdown of the violating per NASCAR’s press release is below:

12.1: Actions detrimental to stock car racing;

20.14.2: Rear Suspension: Truck Trailing Arm

1. The left and right side truck trailing arms must be mounted to the truck trailing arm mounting brackets using a one-piece, minimum ¾ inch diameter magnetic steel bolt.
2. The horizontal centerline of the highest truck trailing arm mounting bolt must not be higher than the top surface of the truck trailing arm crossmember, at the respective truck trailing arm mounting bracket, when the vehicle is at inspection orientation.

INFRACTION: The ¾ inch diameter magnetic steel truck trailing arm mounting bolt was not installed horizontally.

1. Truck trailing arm must conform to the following drawing as specified in the NASCAR rule book: Rear Suspension-Truck Trailing Arm: A-008-00183-14 Rev.C

INFRACTION: Truck trailing arm monoball sleeve does not meet the drawing specifications. Sleeve is required to be minimum .125 inch minimum thick x two inches wide sleeve machined for press fit of .750 I.D. or .875 I.D. monoball assembly.

20.3.3.2.1: Truck Trailing Arm Crossmember Assembly:Truck Trailing Arm Mounting Brackets

1. Truck trailing arm mounting brackets must be constructed of magnetic steel flat plate with a minimum thickness of 0.169 inch.

INFRACTION: Truck trailing arm mounting bracket adapter was machined from Aluminum solid.

20.20: Assembled Vehicle Overall Rules

1. A. Except in cases explicitly permitted in the NASCAR rules, installation of additional components and/or modifications of existing components to affect the aerodynamic properties of the vehicle will not be permitted, including but not limited to, safety systems, chassis and roll cage, suspension, steering systems, brake systems, heat shields, body fillers, body sealers, filler panels, drivetrain components and exhaust components

The above falls under a P4 Penalty, which per Section 12.5.3.4 of the NASCAR rule book, P4 penalties deal with series violations that deal with parts not meeting specifications and measurement failures of significance. Also per NASCAR, “these often involve primary component or system infractions not otherwise to the magnitude of P5 infractions, but could also include secondary component or system infractions, particularly if of a nature suggesting some of the characteristics described in P5 … and/or involving safety implications”.

The minimum P4 penalty options include the loss of 25 championship driver and owner points, a $40,000-$75,000 fine, and a suspension for the next three points races for the crew chief, plus probation through the end of the calender year. If it happens late in the calender year, then the penalty could extend into the following season.

Prior to the NASCAR XFINITY race at Auto Club Speedway, a series of crew members that work on the No. 8 for TriStar Motorsports were found in violation of rules. Crew member Mark Armstrong was fined $1,500, suspended from NASCAR until April 21 and placed on NASCAR probation through Dec. 31. In addition, crew members Tyler Bullard, Nathaniel House, Jeremy Howard and Ryan Mulder have all been placed on NASCAR probation through Dec. 31.

The crew members violated section 12-1 (Actions detrimental to stock car racing: Involved in a pre-race incident; failure to comply with a directive from Track Security) and 12.8a (Behavioral Penalty).