Sammy Smith driving into the ultimate nook at Martinsville from a number of automotive lengths again with a purpose to deliberately wreck Taylor Grey for the NASCAR Xfinity Sequence win did not work out for him, Grey or the remainder of the sector [besides race winner Austin Hill]. It seems the chaos Smith’s driving has backfired on the driving force of the No. 8 automotive for JR Motorsports.
There have been calls by numerous NASCAR veterans for sequence officers to take motion towards Smith with Denny Hamlin — who received Sunday’s Cup race — being one of many extra outspoken voices. And the sanctioning physique appeared to have heard them, as they determined to advantageous Smith $25,000. However extra importantly, NASCAR docked the JR Motorsports driver 50 factors. The lack of factors drops him from sixth to thirteenth within the championship standings.
Sammy Smith, JR Motorsprots Chevrolet
Photograph by: Logan Riely / Getty Pictures
Curiously, NASCAR additionally fined each Grey and Jeb Burton $5,000 for violating the member code of conduct on the infield care middle. Grey acquired right into a heated confrontation with Smith outdoors the care middle whereas Burton went there after the race to confront Daniel Dye.
As for if it is a adequate to discourage future conditions like this, it is attainable. Between Smith’s penalty and Austin Dillon being faraway from the playoffs for wrecking his technique to the Richmond Cup win final yr, drivers will definitely assume twice earlier than working over the competitors. Nonetheless, the factors penalty will solely show expensive if he fails to win a race in the course of the common season. Ought to Smith exit and win earlier than the playoffs, his place within the common season standings will matter little or no in the entire scheme of issues.
Watch: Taylor Grey, Sammy Smith trade phrases after last-lap contact
Unfastened wheel penalty
Past Smith, NASCAR issued anticipated suspensions for the unfastened wheel that got here off of Shane van Gisbergen’s No. 88 Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet. The wheel fell off on the race monitor, forcing a warning flag throughout green-flag pit stops. Because of this, jackman Aslan Pugh and rear tire changer Jonpatrik Kealey have been suspended for the following two races — pressured to sit down out each Darlington and Bristol.
Some lesser penalties from the weekend embody a $5,000 advantageous for the No. 00 Haas Manufacturing unit Staff Ford as a result of unsecured lug nut(s) after the Xfinity race and a $2,500 advantageous for the No. 71 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet after the Truck race.
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Nick DeGroot
NASCAR Cup
NASCAR XFINITY
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