Hendrick Motorsports’ Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series No. 9 team received an L1 penalty following its 11th-place finish at Texas Motor Speedway last Sunday (April 8), NASCAR announced Wednesday (April 11).
During teardown at NASCAR’s R&D center, it was deemed that a brace supporting the rear window of the car driven by Chase Elliott did not meet the specifications for keeping the window glass rigid in all directions, thus violating Sections 20.4.8.1 of the NASCAR rulebook.
Crew chief Alan Gustafson was fined $50,000 and suspended for the next two MENCS races. Kenny Francis will substitute for Gustafson in those races.
Additionally, the No. 9 Hendrick team was docked 20 owners points, and Elliott lost 20 driver points, dropping him from 15th to 18th in points behind teammate William Byron.
Hendrick has decided not to appeal the penalty.
It is the second time Elliott’s team has received a severe penalty from NASCAR in 2018; a rear-suspension issue at ISM Raceway also docked the team points and money, though Gustafson was not suspended.