In the wake of the recent NASCAR Cup race in Las Vegas, numerous pit road irregularities, primarily loose wheels, sparked a flurry of penalties and suspensions. Among the recipients of these penalties was a team member from Roush Fenway Keselowski Racing (RFK Racing), suspended due to substance abuse allegations. The specifics of the case remain unclear, with uncertainty about whether the substances in question were for performance enhancement or recreational use.
While NASCAR has been notably silent on the issue, the gravity of the offense cannot be understated. The guilty party, if found, will face severe consequences. RFK Racing is expected to conduct an internal investigation to address the matter swiftly.
Renowned sports platform, Barstool Sports, recently discussed the various NASCAR penalties, including the RFK Racing suspension. According to ‘Large’ from Rubbin’ is Racing, NASCAR issued suspensions to two crew members for violating the substance abuse policy. One of these individuals is the rear tire changer for RFK Racing, while the other works as a jackman in the Xfinity Series and Truck Series.
NASCAR has a long-standing, strict policy against substance use, initiated back in the 1980s. One notable case was that of Aaron Fike, a Truck Series driver caught in possession of heroin and admitted to using it during race weekends. Consequently, NASCAR suspended him until 2012. He was only permitted to race once he completed NASCAR’s Road to Recovery program.
Another significant case involved A.J. Allmendinger, who tested positive for Adderall. After undergoing the Road to Recovery program, he was cleared to race by the end of the year. Despite these high-profile cases, there is limited information on how NASCAR addresses substance abuse.
NASCAR’s official policy strongly condemns the misuse of alcohol, prescription drugs, or any substance that can affect safety or compromise the integrity of the competition. This includes performance-enhancing substances. All NASCAR members are held accountable for whatever substances they ingest.
Penalties were also doled out to the RCR and JGR teams for loose wheels. According to NASCAR policy, drivers and team members found guilty of breaching regulations regarding alcohol, recreational, and performance-enhancing substances will face penalties. While NASCAR has refrained from commenting on the crew members’ suspension, they have acknowledged the loose tire issues.
Three teams faced penalties after the Las Vegas race. The No. 20 team, led by Christopher Bell, cleverly avoided a penalty by securing a loose wheel in Chase Brisoce’s pit box before returning to the racetrack. Loose wheel problems have become a recurring issue, with Kyle Larson also experiencing difficulties during the race at COTA. Given NASCAR’s history with single nut problems, it’s clear this issue needs addressing.
The Las Vegas race marked the first instance of increased pressure on pit crews. With a narrow window of 8-10 seconds, the crews are playing a high-stakes game. Brad Moran, Cup Series Managing Director, acknowledged these concerns during an interview on SiriusXM NASCAR. He highlighted the need for pit crews to balance speed and accuracy to avoid loose wheel incidents.
The strategies NASCAR implements to tackle the loose wheel problem, and how teams adapt their pit road practices, will be intriguing to observe.
