DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – NASCAR officials have released details regarding its new penalty structure for the NASCAR Cup Series with a list of deterrence options, including the possibility of the loss of playoff eligibility.
The new penalty structure is a three-tiered system – L1, L2 and L3 – was announced Monday. The L3 level features the harshest potential penalties, which includes tampering with or counterfeiting Next Gen single-source parts. Also featured at the L3 level are infractions for engines, tires and fuel.
Potential penalties include the loss of NASCAR Cup Series points, playoff points, crew member suspension and outright postseason bans.
“As we discussed during the test at Charlotte, and at length with teams over the offseason, the new deterrence model will be a culture shift for our industry,” said Steve O’Donnell, NASCAR Executive Vice President and Chief Racing Development Officer. “The car was a collaborative project, designed to emphasize performance at the track and the unrivaled abilities of our teams, drivers and pit crews. There will be strong penalties for any teams who run contrary to that design so the fans can focus on our drivers and the great racing expected from NASCAR.”
Absent from the penalty system is the penalty for unsecured lug nuts. The shift to the new NASCAR Next Gen car, which features wheels with one lug nut per tire, meant there was no longer a need for that penalty. There remains a penalty for improperly installed tire/wheel, which still carries a four-race suspension for the offending team’s crew chief and two additional crew members.
Below is the full list of infraction classifications and possible penalties.
L1 penalties
Violations include:
- Post-race failure to meet minimum weight requirements
- Team source parts not meeting the NASCAR Rules, but not rising to a higher-level penalty
- Failures in the submission and approval process of parts
Penalty options include:
- Points deductions: 20-75 points
- Playoff points deductions: 1-10 points
- Suspension of one crewmember for 1-3 races
- Fines: $25,000-$100,000.
L2 penalties
Violations include:
- Modifications to single-source Next Gen parts not rising to L3 level infractions
- Violations of engine-seal requirements
- Unapproved alterations to the engine control system wiring
- Use of unapproved on-board electronics
Penalty options include:
- Points deductions: 75-120 points
- Playoff points deductions: 10-25 points
- Suspension of one or two crewmembers for 4-6 races
- Fines: $100,000-$250,000
L3 penalties
Violations include:
- Counterfeiting or modifying single-source Next Gen parts
- Engine infractions (cubic-inch displacement, compression ratio, assembly and internal components) and performance enhancements (nitrous oxide, vacuum leaks)
- Engine Control Unit (ECU) or Electronic Fuel Injection (EFI) violations
- Modifying tires and/or fuel
- Violations of private team testing policy
Penalty options include:
- Points deductions: 120-180 points
- Playoff points deductions: 25-50 points
- Suspension of one or two crewmembers for six races
- Fines: $250,000-$500,000
- Nullifying postseason eligibility, regardless of wins, points and other qualifying criteria
- One-race suspension for the team, in the event of repeat high-level violations