NASCAR announced the following penalties for the post race altercations on October 11 at Charlotte Motor Speedway involving Brad Keselowski and Tony Stewart.
Keselowski has been fined $50,000 and placed on NASCAR probation for the next four NASCAR Sprint Cup Series championship events through Nov. 12 for violating: “Section 12-1: Actions detrimental to stock car racing” Section 12-4.9: Behavioral penalty — involved in post-race incidents.
Stewart has been fined $25,000 and placed on NASCAR probation for the next four NASCAR Sprint Cup Series championship events through Nov. 12 for violating: “Section 12-1: Actions detrimental to stock car racing
” Section 12-4.9: Behavioral penalty — involved in a post-race incident
“These penalties are about maintaining a safe environment following the race,” said Robin Pemberton, NASCAR senior vice president, competition and racing development. “We knew that the new Chase format was likely going to raise the intensity level and we want our drivers to continue to be themselves. However, the safety of our drivers, crew members, officials, and workers is paramount and we will react when that safety could be compromised.”
Neither Matt Kenseth or Denny Hamlin were penalized.
Keselowski tangoed with both Kenseth and Hamlin on the last laps of the Bank Of America 500 on Saturday night. Kenseth parked his No. 20 Ford on pit road when Keselowski slammed him hard from behind, hitting Stewart in the process. Stewart then put his car in reverse and backed up into Keselowski’s car.
Hamlin followed Keselowski’s car to the garage but the 2012 Series champion was able to get away from Hamlin. Matt Kenseth then confronted Keselowski between a pair of haulers and a skirmish erupted before NASCAR officials arrived.
