NASCAR Suspends RCR Crew Member, Penalizes KHI And RCR For Truck Series Violations

NASCAR has suspended Richard Childress Racing’s Gary Frost for violating the sanctioning body’s substance abuse policy. A mechanic on the No. 31 Jeff Burton team, Frost was found to be in violation of the policy on May 23, 2011.

In a statement issued shortly after the failed test was announced, team owner Richard Childress explained Frost was immediately terminated for his actions.

“Richard Childress Racing has zero tolerance when an employee fails a NASCAR drug test due to an illegal substance,” Childress said in the statement. “As a result, that person’s employment is terminated. It is important for our fans and our partners to know illegal drug use at RCR is simply not tolerated.”

On Tuesday, NASCAR also handed out two penalties found this weekend in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series.

During post-race inspection on Friday night, NASCAR discovered an unapproved rear end gear in the Kevin Harvick Inc. No. 33 Chevrolet. As a result, crew chief Jeff Hensley has been fined $10,000, team owner DeLana Harvick was penalized 25 owner points and driver Ron Hornaday Jr. was penalized 25 driver points.

Team owner Kevin Harvick blamed the infraction on a bad part purchased from a supplier.

”This is an unfortunate situation but KHI respects NASCAR’s decision,” Harvick said in a statement. “We receive the gears from an outside supplier which we trust and expect to be accurate according to the NASCAR rule book. It was not an intentional infraction by G-Force South and we are working to prevent any future incidents.”

G-Force South also issued a statement on the infraction.

”This was a human error within G-Force,” said Roger Chilton, President of G-Force South. “A process was missed when double checking the gear ratio which unfortunately caused this issue. We have made immediate steps to remedy this to ensure it won’t happen again. We sincerely apologize to KHI and to their partners.”
In addition to the penalties handed out to the No. 33, Richard Childress Racing’s No. 3 Chevrolet was also penalized for infractions found during opening inspection at Charlotte Motor Speedway. NASCAR officials discovered the shifter lever in the No. 3 was not metal and has fined crew chief Gary Stockman $1,000.