NASCAR suspends, fines team owner for violating COVID protocols

NASCAR has suspended and fined one of its team owners for violating COVID-19 protocols at Daytona International Speedway. 

Team owner Chip Ganassi has been issued a one-race suspension and a $30,000 fine for allowing a nonessential person into the competition area, NASCAR announced Monday. 

Officials said that Ganassi “bringing into the competition area a non-essential individual that was restricted from the footprint” was a violation of Section 12.8.1.b of the NASCAR Rule Book.

Ganassi will not be allowed at the NASCAR Cup Series event this upcoming weekend at Homestead-Miami Speedway.

However, Ganassi’s two drivers, Kurt Busch and Ross Chastain, will still be allowed to race at the event.

Sports events across the country have had strict coronavirus rules in order to continue their seasons amid the pandemic. The NFL and NBA have all had limited fan attendance along with masks and social distancing requirements at their events. 

Coronavirus-related fines weren’t the only ones given out at the race on Sunday. 

Fines of $10,000 were given out to two Cup Series crew chiefs because their cars were found to be out of compliance with safety rules.