NASCAR: Martin Truex Jr. hit with massive penalty
By Asher Fair
Martin Truex Jr. was penalized 20 points prior to the NASCAR Cup Series round of 8 playoff race at Texas Motor Speedway as a result of a spoiler issue.
Martin Truex Jr.’s chances to win the 2020 NASCAR Cup Series championship got a whole lot smaller prior to today’s Autotrader EchoPark Automotive 500 at Texas Motor Speedway.
Truex was hit with a 20-point penalty ahead of this 334-lap race around the four-turn, 1.5-mile (2.414-kilometer) oval in Fort Worth, Texas as a result of a spoiler issue.
This spoiler issue on his #19 Toyota was found in pre-race inspection.
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According to section 20.4.12.b in the NASCAR Rule Book, the spoilers on the cars must remain in the condition as they were supplied by the manufacturer, and the #19 team reportedly altered the spoiler’s status.
Crew chief James Small was ejected from the track as a result of the issue, and a suspension is likely forthcoming. Following the round of 8 opener at Kansas Speedway, Truex sat in seventh place in the playoff standings. He still sits in seventh, but instead of sitting 31 points behind the Championship 4 cut line, he now sits 51 points behind.
Here are the updated playoff standings following Truex’s massive penalty.
Rank – Driver: Points (Behind), (Wins/Playoff Points), (+/- cut line)
1st – Joey Logano: 4064 (-51), (3 WINS/27 PP), (CLINCHED)
2nd – Kevin Harvick: 4115 (0), (9 WINS/67 PP), (+41)
3rd – Denny Hamlin: 4094 (-21), (7 WINS/55 PP), (+20)
4th – Brad Keselowski: 4082 (-33), (4 WINS/35 PP), (+8)
————CHAMPIONSHIP 4 CUT LINE————
5th – Chase Elliott: 4074 (-41), (3 WINS/28 PP), (-8)
6th – Alex Bowman: 4055 (-60), (1 WIN/9 PP), (-27)
7th – Martin Truex Jr.: 4031 (-64), (1 WIN/17 PP), (-51)
8th – Kurt Busch: 4009 (-106), (1 WIN/6 PP), (-73)
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Truex was sent to the rear of the field prior to the start of the Autotrader EchoPark Automotive 500 at Texas Motor Speedway. This race is currently being broadcast live on NBC Sports Network.