Two members of Kyle Busch’s No. 18 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series team will sit out this coming weekend’s race at Dover International Speedway as a result of penalties imposed by NASCAR for infractions during post-race inspection at Kansas Speedway last weekend, a race that was won by Busch. Crew chief Adam Stevens and front tire changer Josh Leslie were suspended from all NASCAR Series Championship Points Events through May 18 and placed on probation until December 31; Stevens was also fined $20,000. On Wednesday evening, Joe Gibbs Racing released a statement that confirmed speculation it was a lug nut issue and also that they would not appeal the penalty. “Joe Gibbs Racing announces today it will not appeal the penalty issued by NASCAR earlier this afternoon to its No. 18 team. “The 18 team utilized unaltered stock lug nuts during Saturday night’s NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Kansas Speedway and each wheel had all five lug nuts attached to the wheel at the conclusion of the race. The team does acknowledge that not all lug nuts were tightened to the wheel.” This is the first penalty for loose lug nuts since the rule change on April 25 mandating all lug nuts must be safe and secure.
