NASCAR penalizes Michael Waltrip Racing, Newman in, Truex Jr. out of Chase

Source: Streeter Lecka/Getty Images North America
Source: Streeter Lecka/Getty Images North America

NASCAR has penalized Michael Waltrip Racing after the events that took place Saturday night at Richmond International Raceway. Clint Bowyer was said to of purposely spun out his No. 15 5-Hour Energy Toyota and Brian Vickers was penalized due to slowing and making a questionable pit stop. These sequence of events helped  Martin Truex Jr. enter the NASCAR Sprint Cup Chase as the second Wild Card participant.

WATCH: Clint Bowyer spin out with audio at Richmond International Raceway

In a press release e-mailed to media NASCAR stated:

“Based upon our review of Saturday night’s race at Richmond, it is our determination that the MWR organization attempted to manipulate the outcome of the race,” said Robin Pemberton, NASCAR vice president of competition. “As the sport’s sanctioning body, it is our responsibility to ensure there is a fair and level playing field for all of our competitors and this action today reflects our commitment to that.”

MWR was found to have violated Section 12-4 (Actions detrimental to stock car racing). As a result, MWR’s three teams in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series (No. 15, 55, 56) have been penalized with the loss of 50 championship driver and 50 championship owner points, respectively.

These point penalties are assessed following the season’s 26th regular season race and not after the seeding for the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup. Therefore, the point total for the No. 56 car driven by Martin Truex Jr. is reduced to 691, putting him in 17th position and eliminating him from the second Wild Card berth for the Chase field. Ryan Newman, driver of the No. 39 Stewart Haas Racing Chevrolet, now moves up into the Chase as the second Wild Card participant.

TICKED OFF: Newman speaks out that MWR made him miss out on Chase

NASCAR has also fined the MWR organization $300,000 and indefinitely suspended Ty Norris, MWR Executive Vice President/General Manager and spotter for the No. 55 car, for violating Section 12-4. The three crew chiefs – Brian Pattie (No. 15), Scott Miller (No. 55) and Chad Johnston (No. 56) – have all been placed on NASCAR probation until Dec. 31.

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