NASCAR News: Las Vegas Penalty Report

NASCAR officials issued the Penalty Report for infractions incurred during last weekend’s NASCAR races at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

NASCAR officials penalized the No. 17 RFK Racing Ford team for a detached wheel during last Sunday’s Cup Series race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

Chris Buescher finished last in Sunday’s Pennzoil 400 after his right-front wheel became unfastened, and his crash into the outside retaining wall forced a caution period in the 28th of 267 laps.

As a result of the safety violation of Sections 8.8.10.4 A&C (Tires and Wheels; Loss or separation of an improperly installed tire/wheel from the vehicle during the event) in the NASCAR Rule Book, No. 17 crew members Nicholas Patterson (jack) and Jakob Prall (front tire changer) were suspended for the next two Cup Series events — through the March 17 race scheduled at Bristol Motor Speedway.

Three other teams — two in the Xfinity Series and one in the Craftsman Truck Series — were each fined for having single lug nuts unsecured in safety checks after their races last weekend in Las Vegas.

In the Xfinity Series, the crew chiefs for two teams were docked $5,000:

• No. 9 JR Motorsports Chevrolet (crew chief Phillip Bell)
• No. 42 Young’s Motorsports Chevrolet (crew chief Andrew Abbott)

A single Craftsman Truck Series team was penalized with a $2,500 fine:

• No. 98 ThorSport Racing Ford (crew chief Joe Shear Jr.)