NASCAR issues penalty to Cole Custer for modified splitter

NASCAR issued penalties to Cole Custer and his team for a modified splitter found in pre-race inspection at Michigan.

The sanctioning body docked Custer and his team 20 driver and owner championship points and five playoff points. They also issued a $25,000 fine to crew chief Jonathan Toney.

Officials confiscated the No. 00 car’s splitter during pre-race inspection Friday for the NASCAR Xfinity Series race at Michigan International Speedway.

After a further inspection at the NASCAR R&D Center, officials found the team violated rulebook sections 14.4.3 C&H:

• C. Except as specified, splitters must be used exactly as supplied from the manufacturer
• H. Rounding of any edges of the splitter will not be permitted

Custer and the No. 00 team will remain fourth in driver and owner points, now 106 points out of the regular-season lead in each battle.

Both Custer and the team now have 10 playoff points, instead of 15. They each have the fourth-most playoff points so far, behind John Hunter Nemechek (30), Austin Hill (23) and Justin Allgaier (13)