NASCAR’s Noah Gregson fined $35,000 for intentional wreck on US highway

NASCAR has penalized JR Motorsports Xfinity Series driver Noah Gragson for colliding with an opponent during last weekend’s race at Road America.

Gragson’s Hakim Karam and Alpha Prime Racing were battling with some contacts for a position on lap 25 when Gragson apparently got frustrated with the situation and swerved into Karam’s car.

Both Chevrolets lost control and caused a pileup of 13 cars.

After reviewing the accident, NASCAR decided to fine Gragson $35,000 and fix him with 30 season points for “deliberately destroying another vehicle” and “Actions by a NASCAR member that NASCAR finds harmful to motor racing or NASCAR. “

Gragson, who has two wins this season and is currently fourth in the standings, has not apologized for his actions and criticized Karam’s leadership.

“It’s one thing if you’re faster than everyone else, but to throw it in there and get you out of the track in the corner, your door, you get off the track,” Gregson said after the race. “Finally, after the third time, I’m over it. That’s not an ideal situation for him and his team.” But two or three times, I’m done with it.”

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JR Motorsports did not contest NASCAR’s decision.

Gergeson hit Karam on lap 25.
(NASCAR / USA)

“We understand today’s penalty. Noah is a passionate race car driver, and his actions happened in the heat of the moment. Learning how and when to keep emotions in check is part of the learning experience,” said Kelly Earnhardt, Vice President of GR Motorsports. in the current situation.

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Co-owner Dale Earnhardt Jr. He had criticized Gregson’s driving before the penalties were announced and said NASCAR might have given Gregson a stop and serve a penalty during the race to allow him to calm down rather than allow him to continue. He finished in eighth place.

“I was shocked, to be honest, when I saw Noah make that decision,” Earnhardt said Wednesday morning on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio. “I was completely shocked and with a bit of disbelief not only that he made that choice but that, you know, he caused such an accident and got so many other guys involved in it. It was hard to watch, really hard.”

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“I think NASCAR doesn’t want to over-run the races, but I think in some situations there are some things that cross a line. And I felt like this was definitely one of those situations where I was in the booth directing the race, I think I had to bring Noah to the pothole. And keep him there for a while.”

Gregson is fourth in the season standings.
(Logan Riley/Getty Images)

Karam did not finish the race She is scheduled to drive again this weekend at the Atlanta Motor Speedway Oval. Karam added that he is not planning revenge.

“I will not bump into someone or intentionally take them out,” Karam said. “That’s not the kind of driver I am now. Twenty years of racing, it’s never even happened to me (Road America). I’d say that’s racing, but for me it wasn’t racing.”

The Associated Press contributed to this report