If you were around on Twitter Saturday afternoon during the opening NASCAR Xfinity Series practice session at Iowa Speedway, you probably heard about the incident involving the No. 55 Chevrolet of Jamie Dick.
A weight fell from the No. 4 Chevrolet being driven by Ross Chastain that hit the No. 55. The car suffered major damage on the No. 55 Chevrolet that forced the team to a backup car. The damage was so significant that Dick’s helmet even got some scrapes.
No one was injured in the incident.
According to a ruling from NASCAR, the team violated Sections 12.1 (actions detrimental to stock car racing) and 20.17.2.1 overall vehicle weight (B. Any and all ballast added to the vehicle must be bolted inside an added ballast container, inside the main frame rails, and/or inside the front sway bar mounting tube. Weight affixed improperly.)
As a result, crew chief Gary Cogswell has been fined $15,000, and he and car chief Charles Kent have been placed on probation through Dec. 31.
NASCAR also issued penalties to the No. 00 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series team after discovering violations during post-race inspection at the Charlotte Motor Speedway.
NASCAR issued a P2 infraction after discovering the team violated Sections 12.1 (actions detrimental to stock car racing) and 20.17.3.3.2 (Top Shelf Heights. Vehicle did not meet the minimum post-race splitter height) of the 2015 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series rulebook.
As a result, crew chief Joe Shear Jr. has been fined $6,000 and placed on NASCAR probation until Dec. 31. Team owner Dale Earnhardt Jr. has been docked 10 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series owner points.
There were also questions whether NASCAR will issue penalties to the No. 48 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series team for altering side skirts. NASCAR took the car back to the R&D Center for further evaluation but found no infractions.
So they couldn’t find a problem with the side skirts on the 48. I wonder where they should have been looking.