By David Morgan, NASCAR Writer
After the lug nut rule was changed two weeks ago, teams and drivers all wondered which team would fall victim to the new rule first. On Wednesday, NASCAR gave us our answer.
Kyle Busch’s No. 18 team, which won Saturday night’s Go Bowling 400 at Kansas, was penalized by NASCAR for violating the lug nut rule. The specific rules noted by NASCAR in their penalty report were Sections 12:1 (actions detrimental to stock car racing); 10.11.3.4 (pit road equipment); 12.5.3.4.1 g, o (Parts or system configurations of importance not meeting the NASCAR rules but of a nature rising to a higher level penalty).
As a result of the penalty, a P3 level violation, Busch’s crew chief, Adam Stevens, was suspended from all NASCAR Series Championship Points Events through May 18, which equates to missing this weekend’s race at Dover should the team not appeal. Stevens was also fined $20,000 and placed on probation through the end of the year.
The right front tire changer for Busch’s team, Josh Leslie, was also suspended through May 18 and placed on probation through December 31.
Despite the penalty, Busch will be allowed to keep the three bonus points that he was awarded as a result of his win at Kansas, his third of the season.
Photo by Jerry Markland/Getty Images
