Trackhouse loses appeal against Martinsville penalties

Trackhouse Racing lost its appeal of the penalties issued earlier this week by NASCAR for being involved in what was deemed to be race manipulation at Martinsville Speedway.

NASCAR docked the team and driver Ross Chastain both 50 points, fined them a $100,000 each, and issued a one-race suspension to crew chief Phil Surgen, spotter Brandon McReynolds, and team executive Tony Lunders. Trackhouse was one of three teams penalized, the others being Richard Childress Racing and 23XI Racing.

The three-person National Motorsports Appeals Panel was Kelly Housby, Lyn St. James, and Steve York. A statement issued by the panel explained, “We feel in the best interest of racing and to protect the integrity of the sport, it was appropriate to uphold and affirm NASCAR’s decision with regard to the NASCAR rule 4.4, attempting to manipulate the outcome of the race.”

Trackhouse Racing will not make a final appeal.

“We respect the decision and will put the matter behind us,” a team statement said. “We’re looking forward to a great championship weekend.”

The organization was penalized for helping fellow Chevrolet driver William Byron in the closing laps of the elimination race at Martinsville. Byron was looking to advance into the Championship 4 and ran ahead of Chastain and Austin Dillon. The two drivers never attempted to make a pass on Byron and ran side-by-side at times, which blocked the track from others. There was also communication on the radio about the situation.