NASCAR fined Nick Sanchez and Matt Crafton following their post-race altercation at Talladega Superspeedway, it announced Oct. 3.
Crafton has been fined $25,000, while Sanchez was fined $5,000.
In addition, Sanchez’s father, Rene Sanchez, has been suspended for the remaining two races of the season due to his involvement in the incident.
In the closing stages of the Loves Travel Stop 250 for the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series at Talladega Superspeedway, contact between Crafton and Sanchez caused the No. 88 to spin off of the nose of the No. 2, triggering a multi-truck accident. Sanchez continued on to the end, but Crafton’s day was done due to the crash.
Following the crash on track, Crafton parked his truck in the No. 2 team’s pit stall and exchanged some words with the team before walking away. Later on after the race, Crafton confronted Sanchez, and threw what Sanchez called a “cheap shot” of a punch. Sanchez’s face was bloodied by the end of the scuffle. Sanchez made violent threats toward Crafton promising retaliation.
While Rene Sanchez was involved in the incident, NASCAR did not comment on what action of his constituted suspension versus the drivers’ fines.
In addition to penalties relating to the Crafton-Sanchez spat, NASCAR also fined Chandler Smith $10,000 for failing to wear a protective head sock and/or helmet skirt at Talladega. Smith competed in the NASCAR Cup Series race at the track for Kaulig Racing, finishing 11th.
The series returns at Homestead-Miami Speedway on Oct. 21.
Interesting how nothing was mentioned about Crafton’s side of the story. Journalism at its finest.