Last week Nascar officials confiscated wheels from two of Nascar Cup's top teams, reportedly due to unapproved modifications. In accordance with standard policy, both Kaulig Racing and The Money Team Racing were punished severely for the infractions.
“Nascar has a zero tolerance policy for teams trying exploit ‘gray areas’ in the rules”, said lead Nascar inspector Trace Murphy. “If a major team is found to be even attempting to skirt the regulations, we will not hesitate to punish smaller, more-vulnerable teams for the infractions.”
Murphy was quick to add that while technically the wheels were legal, it was the audacity of the attempt that convinced them that punishment was needed.
“The days of ‘If you ain’t cheatin, you ain’t tryin’ are over”, Murphy explained. “I don’t care if you’re RFK, Hendrick, or JGR—we won’t hesitate to throw the book at LiveFast, Spire, or PettyGMS.”
Murphy continued to explain how Nascar is very clear on its enforcement of the rules.
“It says it right here”, Murphy said, showing an entry in the Official Nascar Rulebook for 2022, “Chapter 6, Section 1, Subsection 9: Any attempt to circumvent the rules as set out at the start of the season will result in swift punishment of one of Nascar’s lesser teams.”
Other Cup teams are said to be preparing for such strict enforcement of the rules throughout this season.
“We just had Kurt Busch fail inspection three times yesterday”, said 23XI Competition Director Kevin Nelson, “so we’re expecting the worst this upcoming week. It wouldn’t surprise us to see Front Row Motorsports get parked for next week’s race for something like a loose wheel.”
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