Kyle Busch Fined & Placed On Probation

Today, NASCAR announced that Kyle Busch has been fined, penalized & placed on probation for his actions in Sunday night's Nextel Cup Coca-Cola 600 at Lowe's Motor Speedway. Busch violated Section 12-4-A (actions detrimental to stock car racing) of the NASCAR rule book & has been fined $50,000, penalized 25 Driver Championship points, & placed on probation until December 31st. As a result of the points penalty, Busch has now dropped to 10th spot in the Nextel Cup standings, 14 points behind Kevin Harvick. The infraction also resulted in Hendrick Motorsports team owner Rick Hendrick being penalized 25 Owner Championship points. Also, Don Richardson, crew member on the No. 5 Chevrolet team, has been fined $5,000 & placed on probation until Dec. 31st. He violated 12-4-A, because of improper use of a NASCAR credential.

Busch would have had a top-5 finish with the 87 laps remaining Sunday when Casey Mears, lost control of his car & spun out along the backstretch bouncing off the wall & into Busch. Mears continued, but Busch's car was badly damaged enough, that he was unable to finish the race. NASCAR officials were attempting to guide Busch to the garage area, but he broke free & went towards the track & tossed part of his HANS device at Mears' Dodge Charger.

Also, announced by NASCAR today, Jeremy Mayfield's Dodge was found to be in violation of multiple sections (12-4-A, 12-4-Q - car, car parts, components &/or equipment used that do not conform to NASCAR rules) & Section 20-12.8.1A (roof height too low in post-race inspection). Mayfield was penalized 25 points, team owner Ray Evernham lost 25 points & crew chief Ted Andrews was fined $35,000.