NASCAR: Nine Teams Receive Penalties After Atlanta

NASCAR is not fooling around in 2016, or at least that is the message that they appear to be sending following the action this weekend in Atlanta.

In case anyone was wondering, NASCAR might mean business in 2016 when it comes to discouraging drivers from pushing the boundaries too far. This was first evident in Atlanta for qualifying when Kyle Busch won the pole but had his time disallowed because the toe on his No. 18 machine was off. Yes, Busch was outside of the rules but it was not by much, yet NASCAR handled it swiftly and firmly. NASCAR’s handling of the Busch situation now sets a precedent for the rest of the season when it comes to drivers failing post-qualifying inspection.

Props to NASCAR.

On Tuesday NASCAR announced a handful of penalties, fines and written warnings stemming from Atlanta. Below is a rundown of what went down, who got into trouble and what the consequences are.

• No. 78 team – Furniture Row Racing crew chief Cole Pearn has been fined $50,000, suspended from the next NASCAR Sprint Cup Series event and will remain on NASCAR probation through Dec. 31. The team has been assessed with the loss of 15 championship owner points and 15 championship driver points for a roof flap violation at Atlanta.
• No. 47 team – JTG Daugherty Racing crew chief Randall Burnett has been fined $15,000 and placed on NASCAR probation through Dec. 31. The team has been assessed with the loss of 10 championship owner points and 10 championship driver points for illegal body attachment mounts/supports.
• No. 88 team – Received written warning for failing pre-race inspection too many times (twice).
• No. 83 team – Received written warning for failing pre-race inspection too many times (twice).
• No. 98 team – Received written warning for failing pre-race inspection too many times (three times).
• No. 95 team – Crew chief fined $15,000 and place on probation until Dec. 31. Team loses 10 championship owner and driver points for illegal body attachment mounts/supports.
• No. 3 team – Crew chief fined $15,000 and place on probation until Dec. 31. Team loses 10 championship owner and driver points for illegal body attachment mounts/supports.
• No. 31 team – Crew chief fined $15,000 and place on probation until Dec. 31. Team loses 10 championship owner and driver points for illegal body attachment mounts/supports.
• No. 27 team – Crew chief fined $15,000 and place on probation until Dec. 31. Team loses 10 championship owner and driver points for illegal body attachment mounts/supports.

When it’s all said and done, six different drivers lost championship points coming out of Atlanta and six crew chiefs were placed on probation with NASCAR.

The written warnings are common place in NASCAR and multiple of those are usually handed out on a weekly basis. The written warnings do not become an issue until a driver collects several of them. Over time the written warnings can lead to P1 penalties.

More racing: NASCAR: TV Ratings Are Sinking Like A Ship

Heading into Las Vegas teams better be on the ball when it comes to dotting all of their I’s and crossing all of their T’s. If NASCAR came down this hard on drivers leaving Atlanta common sense would say they will continue the trend after Las Vegas and moving forward this season.

Cole Pearn is expected to return to the No. 78 team following this weekend’s race in Las Vegas.