NASCAR busts Sprint Cup champ Harvick, Xfinity teams

Defending Sprint Cup Champion and current points leader Kevin Harvick received a P1 penalty on Wednesday stemming from two written warning in as many weeks. 

NASCAR cited Section 12.5.3.1b,c of the rule book after the team made three attempts and pre-race inspection at Charlotte Motor Speedway and had an illegal exhaust pipe on the No. 4 Stewart-Haas Racing Chevy at Dover International Speedway during opening day inspection. 

The team will be disciplined with the last choice in the pit selection process for this weekend’s Sprint Cup race at Pocono Raceway.

The XFINITY Series

NASCAR nailed the Obaika Racing team with a P3 on Wednesday for having weight improperly attached (Sections 12.1 and 20.17.2.1b) to Peyton Sellers No. 97 Chevy during first practice at Dover last Friday. The weight from Sellers' car flew up into the nose of Carl Long’s Dodge and through the radiator, destroying his primary car. 

Crew chief John Monsam was fined $15,000. He and car chief David Jones have been suspended from the next NXS race at Michigan on June13, and placed on NASCAR probation through Dec. 31. Sellers and team owner Victor Obaika have each been docked 15 series championship points.

The No. 33 Richard Childress Racing Chevy, which won last month at Charlotte, was busted for being too low in the rear during post-race inspection at Dover on Saturday. Austin Dillon, who piloted the car, finished fourth.

The P2 infraction (Sec. 12.1 and 20.17.3.2.2b) carries a $7,500 fine for crew chief Nick Harrison, who is on probation until the end of the year. Team owner Richard Childress was docked 10 NXS champion points.