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Every NASCAR Cup Series Post-Race Penalty in 2023 (So Far)

Joshua Lipowski

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Royal T Grafix

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NASCAR's rule book has been used quite a bit so far this season, and it's kind of hard to keep up. Here are all of the post-race penalties given out this season thus far. How does it compare to last season?

NASCAR’s rule book has been used quite a bit so far this season, and it’s kind of hard to keep up. Here are all of the post-race penalties given out this season thus far. How does it compare to last season?

Auto Club Speedway: Pala Casino 400 (1 Penalty)

Martin Truex Jr: After a lose wheel during the Wise Power 400 at Auto Club Speedway, Martin Truex Jr was held for two laps on pit road during the race, but also was penalized afterwards. Two crew members from the Joe Gibbs Racing #19 team were suspended for two races following the incident.

Phoenix: United Rentals Work United 500 (7 Penalties)

Hendrick Motorsports: All four Hendrick Motorsports teams were penalized for modifying a single-source Gen-7 car part, more specifically, hood louvers. All four crew chiefs were fined $100,000, suspended for four races, lost 100 driver (Except for Josh Berry as he was ineligible for Cup points) and owner points, and lost 10 playoff points. The points penalty was later overturned on appeal, however, the fines and suspensions stood.

Justin Haley: The Kaulig Racing #31 team was penalized for the same infraction as Hendrick. Crew chief Trent Owens was suspended for four races, fined $100,000, and cost Haley 100 driver and owner points plus 10 playoff points. The points penalty was later overturned on appeal, but the suspension and fine stood.

Aric Almirola: The #10 Stewart-Haas Racing Team was suspended for a loose wheel during the race. Two crew members were suspended for two races.

Denny Hamlin: Denny Hamlin publicly admitted to running into Ross Chastain intentionally during the final laps of the race. Hamlin was fined $50,000 and took a 25 point penalty. The penalty was appealed unsuccessfully.

Circuit of the Americas: EchoPark Automotive Grand Prix (1 Penalty)

Daniel Suarez: Daniel Suarez was penalized for contact on pit road with Alex Bowman following the race at COTA. Suarez was fined $50,000 for the incident.

Richmond: Toyota Owners 400 (2 Penalties)

Hendrick Motorsports: The Hendrick Motorsports #24 team for William Byron and #48 team for Alex Bowman were once again bopped for modifying a single source part. This time the penalties were crew chiefs suspended for two races with $75,000 fines for each, and the loss of 60 driver and owner points plus five playoff points.

Bristol Dirt: Food City Dirt Race (1 Penalty)

Cody Ware: Cody Ware was arrested on an assault charge heading into the Bristol Dirt weekend. NASCAR suspended him indefinitely.

Martinsville: NOCO 500 (2 Penalties)

Austin Dillon: The Richard Childress Racing #3 team was penalized for an issue with the underwing. The ensuing penalty was a $75,000 fine plus the loss of 60 driver and owner points and five playoff points.

BJ McLeod: The LiveFast #78 team was penalized for a loose wheel during the Martinsville race. Two pit crew members were suspended as a result.

How does this compare?

Overall, there have been 14 post race penalties handed out this season through 11 races with Dover results still pending. According to NBC Sports there were 27 post race penalties during the entire 2022 season, which works out to less than one penalty per race (0.75). Thus far in 2023, there has been more than one penalty averaged per race (1.27).

Penalties have been almost doubled based on penalties per race this season. Add to that the public nature of the appeals process this year means that penalties have been more in the forefront than last season. It is also worth noting that half of these penalties came from one race, so this pace should hopefully not be sustainable.

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Cleetus McFarland Explains The One Catch to His NASCAR O’Reilly Series Schedule

by Kauy Ostlien

What’s Happening?

Garrett Mitchell, better known by his online persona Cleetus McFarland, says his 2026 NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series schedule isn’t set in stone, something the YouTube star explained to Dale Earnhardt Jr on the latest episode of The Dale Jr Download.

One of the biggest surprises in recent NASCAR news is that YouTube star Cleetus McFarland, whose real name is Garrett Mitchell, will make his NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series debut next month at Rockingham Speedway.

Mitchell, who has just won a NASCAR National Series start to his name, will make this start with Richard Childress Racing in their No. 33 car as part of a part-time development contract that will see him make starts in 2026 and 2027.

Per Mitchell, his contract will cover three races per season, though he hinted it could be more in a Facebook post. Nonetheless, fans are eagerly awaiting an official schedule of what other tracks Mitchell and RCR will tackle in 2026.

Unfortunately, fans will have to wait a little longer for this schedule, as the 30-year-old Floridian explained during a recent interview with Dale Earnhardt Jr, his 2026 schedule is still up in the air a month ahead of his first race.

During an interview on the latest episode of the Dale Jr Download, Mitchell told Earnhardt that while he plans to race the superspeedways after Rockingham, with his sights set on Talladega’s April 25 or October 24 race weekend, the decision lies in the hands of NASCAR.

“NASCAR said I cannot run Talladega unless I go to Rockingham first and do well,” Mitchell said.

Mitchell then clarified that while he will have a rookie test for Rockingham, the race at Rockingham will determine his eligibility to race at Talladega.

Stirring the Pot

Mitchell, who has two ARCA starts at Daytona and one at Talladega, has already taken a rookie test this season at Rockingham for the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series.

Despite a minor crash during this test, Mitchell was cleared to race in the season-opening race at Daytona, crashing himself in a single truck spin five laps into the race, after a valiant qualifying effort.

Even with the barrier of Rockingham in the way, fans are already somewhat concerned about McFarland’s skills, given the result of his short time behind the wheel of a truck.

During this episode of The DJD, Mitchell expressed his intentions to work his way up the ladder and learn, but with the caveat that if an opportunity presents itself to him, he will take it, using the Daytona 500 and the NASCAR Cup Series as a metaphorical example.

“I don’t want to drive a Cup car right now. But, brother, if someone calls me and says, ‘We got a spot in a Cup car in the Daytona 500?’ I mean, what am I supposed to do?” — Cleetus McFarland

Despite his doubters, with the support of RCR and their developmental tools, Mitchell seems confident about the opportunity, already getting in some sim time with RCR.

Either way, no matter how much support he has in his corner, Mitchell is diving in headfirst once again with this opportunity.

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Cleetus McFarland’s First NASCAR Diecast is Officially Available for Pre-Order

by Kauy Ostlien

What’s Happening?

Lionel has officially opened pre-orders for Garrett Mitchell’s (better known as Cleetus McFarland) first-ever NASCAR diecast.

  • This announcement comes as part of his upcoming debut in NASCAR’s O’Reilly Auto Parts Series next month. While the sponsor, Tommy’s Express Car Wash, and car number, No. 33, are known, there has yet to be an official render of his paint scheme released to the public.
  • Lionel Racing is offering two diecast options for Mitchell: the first option is the 1:64 scale diecast at $11.75, and the second is a 1:24 scale diecast at $70.00. As of press time, it appears the car will not receive any other options, such as Special Finishes like Color Chrome or Galaxy Colored.
  • Mitchell announced his first NASCAR OAP Series race on Wednesday afternoon, signing a two-year, three-race-per-year deal with RCR. This is a major step for the YouTube star turned NASCAR driver, who made his ARCA debut last season.
  • Due to his popularity both in and out of NASCAR, Mitchell’s diecast may be one of the most anticipated in recent memory. Many race fans are already giving bold predictions for the large order quantity this car will receive by the time it reaches production.

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BRISTOL, TENNESSEE - SEPTEMBER 11: Garrett Mitchell, also known as Cleetus McFarland, driver of the #30 Kenetik Ford waits on the grid prior to the ARCA Menards Series Bush's Beans 200 at Bristol Motor Speedway on September 11, 2025 in Bristol, Tennessee. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)

UPDATE: Cleetus McFarland Will Race in the NASCAR O’Reilly Series This Year

by Kauy Ostlien

What’s Happening?

YouTube star-turned-NASCAR driver Garrett Mitchell, best known by his online persona Cleetus McFarland, has signed a part-time deal to race with Richard Childress Racing in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series for the next two seasons.

UPDATE 3:00 PM EST: Per RCR Mitchell will make his debut at Rockingham Speedway on April 4.

  • Mitchell announced his signing with RCR in a Wednesday afternoon post on his Facebook. The 30-year-old says that RCR reached out, offering to make him “a better driver and give you an opportunity to grow in this sport.”
  • The Floridaian will drive the team’s part-time No. 33 on a part-time basis over the next two seasons. Mitchell claims in his post that the deal is three races a year, but hints it could be more, saying “3 races a year right now.”
  • Mitchell, who made his NASCAR debut last season with a four-race schedule in the ARCA Menards Series, has brought a legion of fans to NASCAR in his few starts. So far, Mitchell has made five career starts in the ARCA Menards Series and one in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series.
  • That start in the Truck Series, at Daytona earlier this season, was a spark of controversy, as, after crashing in his test for approval, Mitchell crashed himself early on in the race. While he has his supporters, including many in the garage area, this move up the NASCAR ladder will likely see some pushback from fans across the board.
  • As of press time, Mitchell has yet to announce his first race of this part-time schedule with RCR.

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