NASCAR News: Chastain/Trackhouse appeal rejected by Appeals Panel

Trackhouse Racing lost its appeal of penalties from last weekend’s race at Martinsville and will not pursue an additional appeal after the initial decision by the Appeals Panel, a team spokesperson confirmed Thursday.

Appeals Panel Decision

The National Motorsports Appeals Panel today heard and considered an appeal of a behavior penalty issued on November 5, 2024 to driver Ross Chastain, owner Justin Marks, Competition Executive Tony Lunders, spotter Brandon McReynolds and crew chief Phil Surgen in the NASCAR Cup Series.

The penalty concerns the following sections of the 2024 NASCAR Rule Book: Sections 4.4.B&D Member Code of Conduct. The penalty issued was a $100,000 fine to both the driver and owner; a loss of 50 driver and owner points; and a one-race suspension to the competition executive, crew chief and spotter.

Upon hearing the testimony, the decisions of the National Motorsports Appeals Panel are:

That the Appellants violated the Rule(s) set forth in the Penalty Notice.
That the Panel affirms and upholds the original Penalty assessed by NASCAR.

In reaching the above decision, the panel provided the following explanation: “We feel in the best interest of racing and to protect the integrity of the sport, it was appropriate to uphold and affirm NASCAR’s decision with regard to the NASCAR rule 4.4, attempting to manipulate the outcome of the race.”

The Appeals Panel members for this hearing:

Mr. Kelly Housby
Ms. Lyn St. James
Mr. Steve York

The Appellant has the right to appeal the decision of the National Motorsports Appeals Panel to the National Motorsports Final Appeals Officer in accordance with the NASCAR Rule Book.