Labbe and DGM Racing Docked 75 Points for Violating NASCAR Test Policy

By Luis Torres, Staff Writer

Both DGM Racing’s Alex Labbe and its owner Mario Gosselin have been reprimanded by NASCAR Tuesday, not only the team were fined $50,000, they’ve also been handed L2-level penalties.

Labbe and the No. 90 Xfinity Series team have been docked 75 driver and owner points following a test session at the Daytona International Speedway road course Saturday. The sanctioning body stopped them because it violated the private testing policy.

Here’s a photo of Labbe testing earlier today. (via u/Sprint_Racer04) https://t.co/F5Erki5G4x #NASCAR pic.twitter.com/b21lBJzi1s

— r/NASCAR on Reddit (@NASCARonReddit) August 1, 2020

The race team brought a composite body Xfinity car to partake in an SCCA (Sports Car Club of America) event to get on-track time as NASCAR won’t have any single form of practice or qualifying sessions for the rest of 2020 across all three national touring series.

The decision sparked criticism because this month will mark the first-time NASCAR will compete on the road course that’s been synonymous with IMSA’s Rolex 24. More so, they’ve added a chicane before reaching the tri-oval to slow the cars down. Due to this, a lot of concerns of the event being a crash fest have risen as to whether or not the rule should be exempted for a different venue.

Road course ringer Will Rodgers, who drove two course races for Brandonbilt Motorsports last season, also participated in the SCCA event, but ran a Mazda Miata. He threw a slight shade on Twitter regarding the ordeal.

This is the right way to get needed seat time @DISupdates. Maybe some others should take note… #specmiata pic.twitter.com/2Dppk6QaXT

— Will Rodgers (@willrodgers65) August 1, 2020

Following the announcement of penalties, DGM Racing issued a statement:

“DGM Racing is aware of the allegations against us. We feel we followed all the proper protocol and will be appealing the penalty. We are unable to comment further. Thank you for the support we have received so far.”

As a result of the penalty, rather than being 16th in points, 73 markers behind Brandon Brown for the 12th and final playoff spot, Labbe will now enter Road America (August 8 at Noon EST on NBCSN) 21st in points, 148 behind Brown.