Chase Elliott penalized by NASCAR, crew chief suspended 2 races

NASCAR docked Chase Elliott 20 points and suspended crew chief Alan Gustafson two races.

Chase Elliott will be without his crew chief for the next two Cup Series races after NASCAR suspended Alan Gustafson and levied other penalties against Elliott’s Hendrick Motorsports team on Wednesday.

NASCAR officials determined the car Elliott drove to an 11th-place during Sunday’s race at Texas Motor Speedway did not have a rear window that remain rigid. It is the same infraction found on the car drove to victory at Las Vegas Motor Speedway last month.

In addition to NASCAR suspending Gustafson for upcoming races at Bristol Motor Speedway (Sunday) and Richmond Raceway (April 21), the crew chief was fined $50,000. Elliott also was docked 20 driver points, with Hendrick losing 20 owner points.

The team will not appeal the penalties. Hendrick named Kenny Francis, a former crew chief for Kasey Kahne, to serve as interim crew chief at Bristol and Richmond.

This marks the second penalty issued to Elliot this season. NASCAR deducted 25 points when a nonconforming rear suspension was found on Elliott’s No. 9 car following the race at ISM Raceway last month.

Elliott falls from 15th 18th in the series points standings after Wednesday’s penalty, 17 points behind Ryan Newman for the final provisional playoff spot. Without the two penalties incurred this season, Elliott would rank 13th in points.