NASCAR issued large penalties in opposition to Briscoe after Daytona 500

Chase Briscoe’s Daytona 500 appeared like a robust begin: in his first race for Joe Gibbs Racing, he took Toyota’s first pole within the Daytona 500, then completed fourth within the race. Issues are wanting a lot worse for Briscoe and JGR, now, as NASCAR discovered unlawful modifications to his automobile’s rear spoiler. The result’s staggering lack of each 100 driver and 100 proprietor factors, in addition to the lack of 10 playoff factors. 

Following the penalties, Briscoe now sits at unfavourable 67 factors, lifeless final within the standings. JGR crew chief James Small has been suspended for the subsequent 4 points-paying Cup races and fined $100,000. He can not return to the pit field till the March 23 race weekend at Homestead-Miami Speedway. The staff will enchantment, and this now stands as the most important factors penalty since Stewart-Haas Racing was discovered to be counterfeiting elements in the course of the 2023 season.

The half in query got here from a single provider, and NASCAR guidelines state that single provider elements can’t be modified in any manner. The sanctioning physique has had zero tolerance for any manipulation of a single-source equipped half, and this week was no totally different.

The spoiler situation was found as a result of Briscoe’s No. 19 Toyota was one of many vehicles taken again to the R&D Middle for additional inspection following the Daytona 500. NASCAR additionally took Austin Cindric’s No. 2 Group Penske Ford was inspected as properly, however handed the overview.

NASCAR issued factors penalties to different drivers and groups following Daytona as properly: each the No. 34 Entrance Row Motorsports Ford pushed by Todd Gilliland and the No. 51 Rick Ware Racing Ford of Cody Ware have been docked a comparatively minor 10 driver and 10 proprietor factors for a similar situation — unsecured ballast.