NASCAR Team Fined Heavily for Safety Infractions

NASCAR Team Fined Heavily for Safety Infractions

Charlotte, NC – April 14, 2025 — NASCAR officials have handed down a significant penalty to Thunderbolt Racing after a post-race inspection revealed multiple safety violations during last weekend’s race at Bristol Motor Speedway. The team was fined $250,000 and docked 75 owner and driver points, a blow that could drastically impact their playoff hopes.

The No. 23 car, driven by rookie sensation Kyle Maddox, was found to be in violation of several key safety regulations outlined in the NASCAR Rule Book. According to a statement released by NASCAR, the violations included improperly installed seat belt harnesses, the use of an unapproved window net, and failure to maintain the mandated chassis reinforcement components.

“NASCAR holds safety as its highest priority,” said NASCAR Senior Vice President of Competition Elton Sawyer. “Any violations that compromise driver safety or the safety of others on the track are taken extremely seriously. These penalties reflect the seriousness of the infractions found on the No. 23 car.”

The inspection took place following Sunday’s Food City Dirt Race, where Maddox finished an impressive fourth—his best result of the season. But the celebration was short-lived. Just hours later, NASCAR officials flagged the car for a more detailed inspection after spotting irregularities during the standard post-race check.

Thunderbolt Racing released a statement Monday morning acknowledging the infractions but said they would appeal the penalty.

“We take safety extremely seriously and are currently reviewing what led to the discrepancies found during inspection,” the statement read. “At no point did we intend to put our driver or others at risk. We will fully cooperate with NASCAR during the appeals process.”

This is not the first time Thunderbolt Racing has come under scrutiny. In 2023, the team was penalized for aerodynamic modifications that violated NASCAR’s body specifications. However, this is by far the team’s most serious offense to date, and the steep penalty has sparked conversations around garage-area enforcement and the responsibilities of crew chiefs and engineers.

NASCAR veteran and analyst Jeff Burton weighed in during a segment on RaceHub, saying, “Safety isn’t negotiable. These aren’t gray areas—these are clear, black-and-white rules. Whether it was intentional or not, it’s the team’s job to ensure everything meets code before the car hits the track.”

The point deduction has major implications for Maddox’s rookie campaign. The 22-year-old was 12th in the standings heading into Bristol but now drops to 18th, outside of the provisional playoff cutoff. With only nine races left in the regular season, the team will need to fight their way back into contention.

Fans have responded with mixed emotions on social media, with some defending the young team’s growing pains, while others demand harsher consequences for any safety-related issues.

NASCAR has confirmed that the appeal process will begin later this week. If the penalty stands, it will serve as a stark reminder to all teams that cutting corners, especially when it comes to safety, comes at a heavy price.