Several penalties were handed down following the races at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, including one to the No. 00 NASCAR Ford team of Cole Custer. Custer was one of several Xfinity Series teams penalized for loose lug nuts discovered in postrace inspection on Saturday night.
According to this week’s penalty report from NASCAR.com, the No. 00 NASCAR Ford Mustang Dark Horse of Custer was found with a single untightened lug nut after the Xfinity race at Vegas on October 19th, 2024. This violates Section 8.8.10.4.A in the Xfinity Series Rule Book, which states “all five lug nuts must be installed in a safe and secure manner during the event.”
Custer, who is currently in contention for the 2024 title, was not handed a points penalty. However, as per the NASCAR Rule Book, his crew chief, Jonathan Toney, was fined $5,000 for the infraction.
Custer was not the only NASCAR Ford team nailed in postrace inspection for loose lugs. The No. 38 Mustang of Matt DiBenedetto was also caught with a loose lug. Kevin Johnson serves as crew chief for DiBenedetto, and he was also fined $5,000. A third, team, the No. 27 Chevy Camaro SS of Jeb Burton, also found itself subject to penalty for the same infraction; crew chief Shane Whitbeck will be forced to pay up for the loose lug.
On the Cup Series side of things, only one team was nabbed for an unsecured lug nut. Thankfully, it was not a NASCAR Ford team. The No. 43 Toyota TRD Camry of Erik Jones lost the right front wheel after a pit stop on Lap 70, which caused the first caution during the race. As a result, front tire changer John Rosselli and jackman Kellen Mills have been suspended for two races and will be able to return to competition for the season’s final race at Phoenix on November 10th, 2024.
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