Kyle Larson’s crew chief suspended for Michigan race
Another week, another lug nut penalty.
Kyle Larson’s crew chief Chad Johnston is suspended for Sunday’s race at Michigan and was fined $20,000 fo violating Sections 12-1; 10.11.3.4 a; 12.5.3.4.1 p of the NASCAR rule book. Those sections refer to loose lug nuts after the race.
The team is not appealing Johnston’s suspension.
Johnston is the fourth crew chief suspended for a race after NASCAR mandated post-race lug nut checks in the wake of Tony Stewart’s comments about the sanctioning body’s lack of enforcement. Kyle Busch’s crew chief Adam Stevens was suspended after Kansas and Kurt Busch crew chief Tony Gibson and AJ Allmendinger crew chief Randall Burnett were suspended following Charlotte. Kurt Busch won Monday’s race at Pocono without Gibson.
As expected, Brad Keselowski’s team didn’t receive any penalties after the hip check from a crew member to the side of the car during Monday’s race. Keselowski’s car passed inspection after the race and was not taken for further inspection. NASCAR deems in-race body modifcations as penalties served during the race, similar to a typical pit road penalty.
Larson is 21st in the points standings with three top-10 finishes in 14 races this season.
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Nick Bromberg is the editor of From The Marbles on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter!
