Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
As the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series heads into its break, it has not begun on a positive note for Johnny Sauter.
On Wednesday, NASCAR issued a punishment towards Sauter and the No.98 team following actions in last Saturday’s race at Kansas Speedway. The No.98 team was found to have violated the NASCAR rulebook with various infractions.
The violations made against the NASCAR rulebook are from the following sections:
12-1 — actions detrimental to stock car racing
12-4K — equipment that had been approved by NASCAR prior to an event, pursuant to sub-section 8-6 and/or 8-12, had been altered or changed.
20B-16 — once a fuel cell or fuel cell components have been certified, modifications of any kind will not be permitted to the fuel cell or fuel cell components
20B-161.B — standard black, safety foam with minimum free-standing height of eight inches, acceptable to NASCAR officials and used as provided by an approved fuel cell manufacturer must be used
Following the violations found against the NASCAR rulebook, NASCAR has issued penalties around the No.98 team. Crew chief Joel Shear has been fined $10,000 and has been suspended for the completion of the next four Truck Series events. Along with the fine and suspension, Shear has also been placed on probation until December 31.
Sauter was docked 25 championship driver points, and truck owner Mike Curb was deducted 25 championship owner points.
The penalties will hurt Sauter as he left the race at Kansas with the points lead. He left Kansas with a top-five finish and had a small lead over second-place driver Matt Crafton. Following the point deductions on Sauter, Crafton now takes the points lead with 13 points ahead of the competition. Sauter is now tied with Jeb Burton in second.
As the truck series will be off the track for about a month, Sauter will have to wait quite a bit in order to make up for the penalty.
Christy Valdez is a NASCAR writer for Rant Sports. Follow her on Twitter @Knowursports and on Facebook at On The Sidelines With Christy
