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Allmendinger’s penalty from Atlanta upheld

AJ Allmendinger
AJ Allmendinger

The National Motorsports Appeals Panel upheld penalties against the No. 47 JTG Daugherty Racing team that competes in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series following a hearing Wednesday at NASCAR's Research & Development Center in Concord, North Carolina.

JTG officials appealed L1-level penalties levied against the team, driver AJ Allmendinger and crew chief Randall Burnett following the March 5 Folds of Honor QuikTrip 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway.

The penalties were the result of three unsecured lug nuts on the No. 47 Chevrolet found during post-race inspection and resulted in a loss of 35 championship driver and owner points and a $65,000 fine and three-race suspension for Burnett.

The points loss dropped Allmendinger, who finished 26th at Atlanta, from 11th to 35th in the standings. Following last weekend's Phoenix race, he is now 31st in standings.

Ernie Cope, the organization's director of competition, has served as interim crew chief during Burnett's suspension.

Minimum penalty options for an L1-level infraction according to the NASCAR deterrence policy, consist of a deduction of 10 to 40 points, suspension of crew chief for 1-3 races, a fine of $25,000 to $75,000 as well as the team's finishing position being declared encumbered.

Specific lug nut violations/penalties are: a $10,000 fine for one unsecured lug nut; $20,000 fine and one-race suspension of crew chief for two unsecured lug nuts; $65,000 fine, loss of 35 driver/owner points, three-race crew chief suspension and encumbered finishing position for three or more unsecured lug nuts.

The panel consisted of Richard Gore, Bill Lester and Steve York.

JTG Daugherty can appeal the panel’s decision to Bryan Moss, the National Motorsports Finals Appeals Officer, if it so chooses.

JTG Daugherty Racing is located in Harrisburg, North Carolina. The organization fields two full-time Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series teams featuring Allmendinger and the No. 37 team of Chris Buescher. Kenny Bruce/NASCAR.com