AVONDALE, Ariz.: The National Motorsports Appeals Panel heard Trackhouse Racing’s appeal Thursday afternoon but elected to uphold the penalties originally assessed by NASCAR for their role in manipulating the outcome of the Xfinity 500 at Martinsville (Va.) Speedway this past Sunday.
In the penultimate Cup Series race of the 2024 season, NASCAR offered substantial penalties to three NASCAR Cup Series for their responsibility in two different forms of race manipulation.
The sanctioning body fined the No. 3 Richard Childress Racing team (Austin Dillon), the No. 1 Trackhouse Racing team (Ross Chastain), and the No. 23XI Racing team (Bubba Wallace) for their roles in the manipulation.
Both driver and team were assessed a $100,000 fine and received the loss of 50 points each for driver and owner – with each team also losing their crew chief, spotter, and key team executive for Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series Championship Race at Phoenix (Ariz.) Raceway.
Initially, all three teams planned to appeal, but 23XI Racing, which is challenging for the NASCAR Cup Series championship this weekend with Tyler Reddick, quickly reversed their decision.
Both Chevrolet teams, Richard Childress Racing and Trackhouse Racing, moved forward with their appeals, but following the National Motorsports Appeals Panel’s decision with Trackhouse Racing, RCR withdrew its appeal.
Following the appeal, the panel of Kelly Housby, Lyn St. James and Steve York released a joint statement:
“We feel in the best interest of racing and to protect the integrity of the sport, it was appropriate to uphold and affirm NASCAR’s decision with regard to the NASCAR rule 4.4, attempting to manipulate the outcome of the race.”
Trackhouse will not appeal further and is always focusing on Phoenix.
“We respect the decision and will put the matter behind us. We’re looking forward to a great championship weekend,” the organization said.
With the team suspensions, the following adjustments will take place ahead of the 312-lap race on Sunday.
Engineer Joel Keller will be Austin Dillon’s crew chief. Brett Griffin, in place of Brandon Benesch, will be Dillon’s spotter.
Darian Grubb will crew chief for Ross Chastain this weekend. Eric Holmes, in place of Brandon McReynolds, will be Chastain’s spotter.
Eric Phillips will crew chief for Bubba Wallace this weekend. TJ Bell, in place of Freddie Kraft, will be Wallace’s spotter.
Follow Chris Knight on X (Twitter) @Knighter01 or email at [email protected].
