NASCAR: Teams Penalized And Crew Member Suspended After The Glen

Coming out of NASCAR’s weekend in Watkins Glen there were a handful of teams penalized with written warnings and one crew member was suspended by NASCAR.

Written warnings were handed out this week to the below teams for issues with passing inspection. When a car takes too many attempts to get though laser inspection either pre-qualifying or pre-race, drivers receive written warnings from NASCAR. Those warnings can then turn into penalties once they reach a certain number.
Written Warnings From Watkins Glen:

• Ryan Blaney (4) – Failed LIS twice in pre-race inspection, written warning.
• Kyle Larson (1) – Failed template inspection twice, pre-qualifying inspection, written warning.
• Ryan Blaney (4) – Failed LIS twice, pre-qualifying inspection, written warning.

This week it was also announced that NASCAR has suspended Front Row Racing crew member Mike Casto for NASCAR’s Substance Abuse Policy. Casto began the 2016 NASCAR season as a Jackman for SHR on the No. 4 crew of 2014 NASCAR champion Kevin Harvick. Casto had missed the start of the 2016 NASCAR season with a shoulder injury before returning to action with Harvick and SHR.
Casto’s stint with SHR and the No. 4 team came to an end in June when SHR shuffled their pit crew due to performance issues. After departing SHR, Casto landed with Front Row Motorsports and Landon Cassill. After the announcement of the suspension questions about Casto were directed to Front Row, but according to ESPN.com, they were not providing any information.

Because SHR provides a pit crew to the Cassill team, Front Row Motorsports referred questions to SHR. An SHR spokesman said the team does not comment on personnel matters.

While substance-related suspensions are not currently an issue in NASCAR, there have been a couple over the last season or two. It’s important for NASCAR fans to remember that working on a pit crew is an athletic endeavor all of its own. Sometimes what it takes to be on a pit crew in NASCAR is underestimated by some of the fans and it shouldn’t be.
The NASCAR Sprint Cup Series will not be running this weekend. They will return to the track next weekend for the annual night race at Bristol.