NASCAR recently imposed significant penalties on three teams competing in the Xfinity Series due to unapproved modifications to body panels. These teams were each penalized 20 driver points and five playoff points, with their crew chiefs facing fines of $25,000. The teams affected by these penalties were Jeb Burton from Jordan Anderson Racing (#27), Kyle Sieg from RSS Racing (#28), and Caesar Bacarella from Alpha Prime Racing (#45). The infractions, categorized as L1-level penalties, were identified during the pre-race inspection for the Wawa 250 at Daytona International Speedway.
The penalties were issued under Sections 14.4.A and 14.4.11 C&D of NASCAR’s rule book, which pertain to body and rear bumper modifications on Superspeedways. NASCAR announced these penalties through a recent post on the social media platform X (formerly known as Twitter).
The announcement stated: “NEWS: The Nos. 27, 28, and 45 teams have been issued an L1-level penalty for unapproved body-panel modifications. Teams and drivers have been assessed with the loss of 20 points and five NASCAR Playoff points. Crew chiefs for all three drivers have been fined $25,000.”
These penalties had a considerable impact on the teams’ standings. Jeb Burton, driving the #27 car, finished the Wawa 250 in 17th place. Burton is notably the cousin of Harrison Burton, who won the Coke Zero Sugar 400 race at Daytona. Kyle Sieg, in the #28 car, managed to secure a 15th-place finish. Caesar Bacarella, who only competes part-time, drove the #45 car and crossed the finish line in 29th place.
The Wawa 250, held at Daytona International Speedway, was the 22nd race of the regular Xfinity season. The race took place on the 2.5-mile asphalt track on August 23, 2024. Ryan Truex, a part-time driver for Joe Gibbs Racing, emerged victorious, securing his second win of the season. Truex is the younger brother of Martin Truex Jr., a 2017 Cup Series champion and current Cup Series driver. Ryan Truex led 28 of the 102 laps in his #20 Toyota to claim victory in the Wawa 250, marking his third career win in 98 Xfinity Series starts.
The outcome of the Wawa 250 had a notable effect on the driver standings, which continue to evolve as the season progresses. The penalties handed out to Burton, Sieg, and Bacarella not only impacted their positions in the standings but also had implications for their playoff aspirations. As NASCAR’s Xfinity Series heads into the final races of the season, every point counts, making these penalties even more significant.
The penalties highlight NASCAR’s strict enforcement of its rules, particularly regarding car modifications, to ensure fair competition. With the playoffs approaching, teams are under increased scrutiny, and any attempt to gain an advantage through unapproved modifications can lead to severe consequences. This incident serves as a reminder of the importance of adhering to NASCAR’s regulations as teams and drivers aim for success in one of motorsport’s most competitive series.
In summary, the penalties issued to Burton, Sieg, and Bacarella’s teams have had a significant impact on their season, both in terms of points and financial costs. The Wawa 250 at Daytona, while a challenging race for these teams, also showcased the competitive nature of the Xfinity Series, as drivers like Ryan Truex continue to make their mark on the track. As the season moves forward, the effects of these penalties will likely continue to be felt, influencing the strategies and performances of the affected teams in the races to come.
Drivers – Points
Justin Allgaier – 806
Cole Custer – 773
Chandler Smith – 731
Austin Hill – 704
Riley Herbst – 665
AJ Allmendinger – 674
Sheldon Creed – 654
Jesse Love – 620
Parker Kligerman – 605
Ryan Sieg – 576
Sammy Smith – 561
Shane van Gisbergen – 532
Sam Mayer – 527
Brandon Jones – 468
Anthony Alfredo – 445
Brennan Poole – 378
Josh Williams – 354
Parker Retzlaff – 337
Jeb Burton – 335
Leland Honeyman Jr. – 330
Jeremy Clements – 307
Kyle Weatherman – 298
Kyle Sieg – 287
Ryan Ellis – 276
Matt DiBenedetto – 253
Aric Almirola – 248
Blaine Perkins – 240
Ryan Truex – 234
Carson Kvapil – 194
Hailie Deegan – 174
Josh Bilicki – 171
Garrett Smithley – 149
Patrick Emerling – 120
Austin Green – 112
Joey Gase – 110
B.J. McLeod – 78
David Starr – 77
Jordan Anderson – 71
Caesar Bacarella – 66
J.J. Yeley – 61
Ed Jones – 57
Sage Karam – 49
Joe Graf Jr. – 48
Logan Bearden – 48
Alex Labbe – 46
The NASCAR Xfinity Series will return to action at Darlington Raceway on August 31.
