Turner Scott Motorsports, Richard Childress Racing teams penalized for Richmond incident

NASCAR handed down penalties to the No. 2 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet team and the No. 30 Turner Scott Motorsports Chevrolet team as a result of incidents following the May 26 Nationwide Series race at Richmond (Va.) International Raceway.

The harshest penalties went to Thomas Costello and Michael Scearce, crew members on the No. 2 team. Each were fined $15,000 and suspended from NASCAR competition for four events. They were also placed on probation until the end of the year. Both men were found to be in violation of section 12-1 (Actions detrimental to stock car racing. Involved in an altercation with another competitor after the race had concluded).

Drivers Nelson Piquet Jr. (20) and Brian Scott (2) were put on probation until June 26 for violation of section 12-1 and "their involvement in an on-track altercation with their cars after the race had concluded." As a result of Piquet and Scott's behavior, their crew chiefs, Chris Carrier and Phil Gould were also placed on probation until June 26.

The incidents were set off by a three-car wreck with 42 laps remaining in Friday night's race. The wreck involved Scott's No. 2, the No. 31 Turner Scott Motorsports Chevrolet of Justin Allgaier and the No. 3 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet of Austin Dillon. After the race, Scott blamed Piquet for the incident and the two drivers made contact with each other's race cars on pit road after the race.

When both drivers climbed out of their cars, Scott approached Piquet. According to Scott Piquet then "kicked me below the belt."

"He runs into me every week, and I kind of had it," Scott said of Piquet.

Piquet, in an interview with ESPN, said that he was tired of being bothered by Scott.

"I'm not going to take anymore crap from him," Piquet said.

The incident then carried over to the owner/driver motorcoach lot outside the race track, where Costello and Scearce approached Piquet. A physical altercation resulted in which one of the two No. 2 crew members sustained an injured shoulder. Henrico, Va., Police arrived at the scene and Costello and Scearce were taken into custody.