DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Three Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series teams received L1-level penalties on Wednesday following the AAA 400 Drive for Autism at Dover Int’l Speedway.
Notably, both runner-up Clint Bowyer and third-place finisher Daniel Suarez – whose cars came back to the NASCAR R&D Center in North Carolina – were hit hard for rear window violations.
Bowyer’s No. 14 Ford was found in violation of Section 20.4.8.1 of the NASCAR Rule Book, which deals with rear window support and is the same issue that SHR teammate Kevin Harvick had following his win at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in March. A brace that supports the rear window failed and did not meet specifications for keeping the rear window glass rigid in all directions at all times.
As a result, Bowyer’s team was docked 20 driver and owner points, and crew chief Mike Bugarewicz was fined $50,000. Car chief Jerry Cook was also suspended from the next two Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series points races.
Meanwhile, Suarez’s team violated Section 20.4.8.1.c of the NASCAR Rule Book. The rear window decklid of the No. 19 Toyota was not sealed properly.
As such, Suarez’s team was also docked 20 driver and owner points, with crew chief Scott Graves fined $50,000 and car chief Todd Brewer suspended from the next two Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series points races.
Austin Dillon and the No. 3 Richard Childress Racing team found in violation of Sections 20.4.3.a and 20.4.3.d of the NASCAR Rule Book, dealing with splitter specifications.
Dillon was sent to the rear of the field prior to the start of Sunday’s race due to a non-compliant splitter.
Crew chief Justin Alexander was fined $25,000 for the violation, while car chief Greg Ebert has been suspended for the next Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series points race at Kansas this weekend.
Dillon finished 26th at Dover on Sunday,
Finally, fifth-place finisher Kurt Busch and the No. 41 Stewart-Haas Racing team received a safety violation for one lug nut that was not safe and secure in post-race inspection.
Crew chief Billy Scott was fined $10,000.
Two NASCAR Xfinity Series teams were also hit with L1-level penalties on Wednesday for violations from the Dover race weekend, including race winner Justin Allgaier.
For more on those violations, click here.
