Following Sunday's Enjoy Illinois 300 at World Wide Technology Raceway, Erik Jones and LEGACY MOTOR CLUB have been assessed an L1-level penalty, after the greenhouse on the No. 43 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 was found to be illegally modified.
Jones, who pilots the entry on a full-time basis in the NASCAR Cup Series, was one of the three vehicles brought back to NASCAR's R&D Center, after finishing 18th in Sunday's event.
According to NASCAR's Penalty Report, LEGACY MOTOR CLUB violated Sections 14.1.C, 14.1.D, and 14.1.2.B of the NASCAR Cup Series Rule Book, which specifically refers to 'Overall Assembled Vehicle Rules' and 'Engineering Change Log'.
Dave Elenz, crew chief of the No. 43 Chevrolet Camaro, has been fined $75,000 and suspended for two points-paying events in the NASCAR Cup Series as a result of the rules violation.
Additionally, Erik Jones and LEGACY MOTOR CLUB have been docked 60 driver and owner points, as well as five NASCAR Playoff Points. The deduction of points drops Jones from 26th to 30th in Cup Series point standings.
Exiting Gateway, Jones found himself 68 points below the NASCAR Playoff cutline, but with the removal of 60 points, will now drop to more than 100 points below Daniel Suarez, who currently holds the final spot in the post-season
The Byron, Michigan-native is the seventh driver to have a points penalty stand in the NASCAR Cup Series this season, joining Denny Hamlin, Austin Dillon, Alex Bowman, William Byron, Chase Briscoe, and Tyler Reddick.
Joey Cohen, Vice President of Race Operations for LEGACY MOTOR CLUB, will serve as the interim crew chief for Erik Jones in Sunday's Toyota/Save Mart 350 at Sonoma Raceway.
“We have been diligently working with NASCAR regarding the penalty and are working internally to determine the course of action in response," stated Cohen. "We will announce that decision within the timeframe determined by the NASCAR Rule Book."
At the time of publishing, LEGACY MOTOR CLUB has yet to comment on whether or not they'll appeal the L1-level penalty assessed by NASCAR.
