Miller Lite NASCAR Cup Series - Penalty Report - Rockingham/Colorado

Recently, the MLNCS has had a series of controversies regarding its past 2 races, and this report endeavors to find the most reasonable solution to all of the controversy surrounding the past 2 races.

Report #1- On the Disqualification of the No. 09 RaceGaze Dodge

Presiding over the Case: Julie Fatal

INITIAL CALL:

Kylee Greider was disqualified from the race due to a fluid leak from the car, which was later determined to be transmission fluid. Kylee Greider was awarded 25 owner and driver points following the protest by RaceGaze.

HOW IT HAPPENED:

Around Lap 100, multiple teams, including the No. 28 of Tyler King, the No. 36 of Ravid Dagan, the No. 09 of Kylee Greider, radioed that fluid was present on the track surface. On Lap 104, Race Officials radioed the 09 team to check for potential leakage on the track. Greider radioed to the team that there was no oil leak, and everything was functioning as expected. No further radio communication was had until Lap 140, when race officials radioed to the team that they were disqualified. There was significant confusion from the 09 team at the moment of disqualification, as they had no idea they were even at risk of a disqualification. RaceGaze protested the call within minutes of the news.

The protest case was heard by Swaggy C on Monday, with Swaggy C ruling in favor of RaceGaze and declaring that the disqualification was unlawful, and that it is likely beyond a reasonable doubt that the transmission fluid did not come from the RaceGaze No. 09.

As a result of the initial appeal, the 09 team was awarded 25 owner and driver points. However, multiple teams counter-appealed this decision, namely Justin Newman Racing. Thus, the issue has been revisited.

From the MLNCS Rulebook:

Section 14.2.5: "Teams threatening the safety of other competitors in any manner are subject to penalties up to and including disqualification by the sanctioning body for that race, for reasons including but not limited to... c) Refusing to fix damage that creates unsafe track conditions... The level of penalty is to be decided in accordance with the severity of the issue and the Penalty Guidelines of Section 69"

EVIDENCE INVOLVED:

MLNCS: Dark Oil Stains present on the back bumper of Kylee's car. Kylee's car is discolored from fluid- however, the fluid is also present on the No. 09's front bumper, opening the possibility that the 09 simply ran it over.

RaceGaze: A comprehensive report on the structural integrity of the car (RaceGaze does this after evey race to see if they can reuse either their cars or at least their parts). The report indicated no open holes or weak points where transmission fluid could have seeped from the car. It also states that the transmission fluid present on the car is not a kind used by RaceGaze. They also submitted a photo of the No. 22 of Bryan Logano pulling into the garage while smoking, which according to RG, proves that the fluid came from the No. 22 of Bryan Logano.

VERDICT:

The result of the appeal stands. Based on the evidence given, Kylee Greider was DQ'd unfairly by series officials who used a weak strand of evidence to blame the 09 team for issues they didn't case. As the team was expected to finish around 15th without the DQ, the 09 team has been awarded 16th place points in both the drivers and owners' championship.

Julie Fatal on the case- "So the fluid wasn't severe enough to warrant an immediate caution but it was severe enough to warrant a DQ? Weird standards at play here"

Report #2- On the Lawfulness of the Caution on Lap 119/200

Presiding over the Case: Jim

INITIAL CALL:

Caution was thrown on lap 119 due to transmission fluid on the track. After a protest by Liberty Biberty Motorsports, both the No. 28 Ford and No. 15 Dodge were awarded 25 owner points.

HOW IT HAPPENED:

Around Lap 100, multiple teams, including the No. 28 of Tyler King, the No. 36 of Ravid Dagan, the No. 09 of Kylee Greider, radioed that fluid was present on the track surface at Turn 4. By the end of Lap 110, series officials radio'd that the track was clear, and racing would resume. However, by lap 112, series officials had confirmed that there was some sort of fluid on the track. When pressed to throw the caution, series director Emmanuel Stone elected not to do so. The issue appeared to persist until Lap 119, when the series director threw the caution as multiple race-contending teams, including the No. 28 of Tyler King and No. 15 of Caleb Marinelli, were trapped two laps down. The caution would be the only one of the race, and dramatically affected the finishing results. Liberty Biberty Motorsports appealed the caution decision, stating that it was obscenely malicious and unlawful of the series.

The protest case was heard by Swaggy C on Monday, with Swaggy C ruling in favor of Liberty Biberty Motorsports and declaring that the caution was unlawful, and that the caution violated the "neutrality vow" of the series.

As a result of the initial appeal, both the No. 28 Ford and No. 15 Dodge were awarded 25 owner points.Caleb Marinelli was also awarded 25 driver points, and Tyler King was awarded a Playoff Point. However, multiple teams counter-appealed this decision, namely Omocke Kick-Ass Racing. Thus, the issue has been revisited.

From the MLNCS Rulebook:

Section 1.7.4: "NASCAR officials are to control the race impartially and neutrally, and teams are within their rights to protest a decision that they feel does not project impartiality."

EVIDENCE INVOLVED:

MLNCS: For most of the time it was on track, the fluid remained out of the preferred racing groove. However, once cars started driving through the fluid when coming out of the pits, it eventually smeared into the racing groove. This, coupled with smoke in Turn 2, sufficed to throw a caution

Liberty Biberty Motorsports: Radio Tower communications indicate that race control knew of the oil's presence long before the caution came out. Here is a sample of communications between Turn 4 watchstander and race director Emmanuel Stone:

Watcher: "There's oil on the track. It's pretty high up, but there's a few cars going through it and they look real out of shape."

Stone: "10-4. Do not throw the caution yet. Just wait a bit."

The caution was thrown the exact moment the 15 and the 28 went 2 laps down (a normal part of Colorado pit stops), which prevented them from having any shot at getting back on the lead lap.

VERDICT:

The result of the protest is overturned. Swaggy C overextended his reach by awarding the No. 15 points, despite RaceGaze not being involved in the appeal. Thus, under the purview of the investigation, the 15 is not eligible to receive compensation even if the caution was malicious.

The evidence that the caution was malicious is inconclusive. Although the series undoubtedly waited a long time to throw a caution, their reasoning left enough doubt to their intentions that it can be argued one way or another whether the caution was malicious. However, the series must, in the future, throw a caution if 10 or more reports of oil come in. In total, the series received 17 reports of oil from the drivers before throwing the caution.

As a result of this ruling, the No. 15 and No. 28 lose their compensation points.

Jim on the case- "Yeah the officials kinda ####ed this one up. But it's not like rogue cautions haven't screwed anyone before."

Report #3- On the Penalties Received by RaceGaze and Liberty Biberty Motorsports at Rockingham

Presiding over the Case: Zackary Sterno

INITIAL CALL:

Following two separate incidents on track, RaceGaze and Liberty Biberty Motorsports were placed on probation for potential race manipulation. Liberty Biberty Motorsports was fined $100,000 and had it's No. 28 and No. 59 teams docked 25 owner points.

HOW IT HAPPENED:

On Lap 98, a wreck was triggered between RaceGaze's No. 07 Dodge (Brandon Allen) and No. 09 Dodge (Kylee Greider). This wreck allowed the RaceGaze No. 15 (Caleb Marinelli) to get back on the lead lap after being trapped by a rogue caution.

Shortly thereafter, on Lap 118, another wreck was triggered by Liberty Biberty Motorsports No. 59 (Ethan O'Connor), collecting Cyberstorm Racing No. 26 (Alan Mooch) and Liberty Biberty Motorsports No. 28 (Tyler King). The caution ultimately caused Tyler King to win Stage 2.

From the MLNCS Rulebook:

Section 1.7.4: "NASCAR officials are to control the race impartially and neutrally, and teams are within their rights to protest a decision that they feel does not project impartiality."

EVIDENCE INVOLVED:

MLNCS: RaceGaze Radio chatter updating the teams on No. 15's progress, then a request to go to Channel 2. Liberty Biberty Motorsports declaring over team radio to enact "Plan Alpha". Post race interview and testimony by Ethan O'Connor openly itting to intentional wrecking.

RG and LBM: Additional radio chatter not previously considered by the series. A comprehensive damage report on the RaceGaze No. 07, which indicated a partial suspension failure on the rear suspension

VERDICT:

The penalties are partially overturned.

RaceGaze: Sufficient evidence exists to prove that the actions taken by the No. 07 were not intentional. Additional radio chatter indicates that the No. 07 was out of control for much of the day, as the trackbar had come somewhat loose and was allowing the rear wheels to slide around underneath the car. Thus, the incident with the No. 07 was beyond a reasonable doubt not intentional, and the probation on the team has been lifted.

Liberty Biberty Motorsports: Although sufficient evidence exists to prove the No. 59 triggered the wreck intentionally, the amount that had to go right for No. 28 to win the stage was beyond what could've reasonably been expected to be within Liberty Biberty Motorsports' control. As such, Tyler King's points and playoff point are reinstated, although the team remains on probation for attempting race manipulation.

Zackary Sterno on the case- "As far as RaceGaze goes, after reading what I read I don't know how Brandon only caused one incident. That thing seemed so much more in control than it was. And then for LBM, yeah, Plan Alpha clearly wasn't an alternative pit strategy like Tyler King said, but unless it involved mind controlling the cars in front of them to pit with literally two laps to go in a stage, I don't think any organization has enough power to pull off a manipulation like that. Honestly, it shocks me the series even attempted to connect those dots. Aight, Imma go eat some prime rib now."