The No. 11, No. 18, and No. 20 Joe Gibbs Racing Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series teams were given L-1 Level penalties on Tuesday (June 12). The front splitters on these cars did not meet specifications during the pre-race inspection period before Sunday’s (June 10th) race in Michigan.
All three teams were forced to start from the back when the violation was discovered by the NASCAR officials. Erik Jones’ No. 20 eventually finished in 15th, Denny Hamlin’s No. 11 came home 12th, and Kyle Busch’s No. 18 finished in fourth.
The three crew chiefs Mike Wheeler (No. 11), Adam Stevens (No. 18), and Chris Gayle (No. 20) were issued $25,000 fines. Car chiefs – Brandon Griffeth (No. 11), Nate Bellows (No. 18), and Jason Overstreet (No. 20) will all be suspended for the next MENCS points race in Sonoma. No points penalty was enacted.
All three of these teams have the right to appeal their penalties to the National Motorsports Appeals Panel. However, it has been reported that the teams will not appeal and accept the penalties from NASCAR.