Two NASCAR drivers have been penalized with heavy fines and probation in post-race actions after the conclusion of the race Saturday night at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
Behavioral penalties were issued where Brad Keselowski was fined $50,000 and placed on NASCAR probation until Nov. 12. Tony Stewart was fined $25,000 and placed on NASCAR probation for the same duration.
According to NASCAR officials, the pair violated two sections in the 2014 rule book: actions detrimental to stock car racing and a behavioral penalty that involved post-race incidents.
Coverage aired after the race where Brad Keselowski ran into Matt Kenseth’s race car on pit road after the contest. Kenseth commented in a post-race interview on ABC that he had his safety equipment disengaged when Keselowski hit his car. Keselowski also bumped Stewart’s car on pit road. When that occurred, Keselowski then backed up and then Stewart put his car into reverse and forcefully backed into Keselowski’s car causing damage. Additional video footage released by NASCAR on Fox on Twitter showed that Keselowski drove through the garage area and spun his tires.
“These penalties are about maintaining a safe environment following the race,” said Robin Pemberton, NASCAR senior vice president, competition and racing development. “We knew that the new Chase format was likely going to raise the intensity level and we want our drivers to continue to be themselves. However, the safety of our drivers, crew members, officials, and workers is paramount and we will react when that safety could be compromised.”
