NASCAR: Custer & Shiplett get their wings clipped for screwing Larson (2nd Update)

NASCAR officials announced Tuesday that former crew chief Mike Shiplett has been reinstated to full membership after a penalty late last season led to his suspension.

Shiplett was crew chief for the No. 41 Stewart-Haas Racing team for driver Cole Custer at the time of the infraction, which came during the Oct. 9 Cup Series playoff race at Charlotte Motor Speedway’s road course. Earlier Tuesday, Shiplett was named competition director for the Xfinity Series efforts at Richard Childress Racing.

The National Motorsports Appeals Panel on Thursday upheld the post-Charlotte penalty issued to the No. 41 Stewart-Haas Racing team and driver Cole Custer. Custer’s No. 14 Mustang appeared to slow on the final lap of the Oct. 9 race at the Charlotte Motor Speedway road course, which allowed teammate and NASCAR Playoffs driver Chase Briscoe to make a pass for position.

Custer is still fined $100,000 and docked 50 points as a result of violations of Section 5.5 of the NASCAR Rule Book, which states that competitors must race at 100% of their ability and takes action against competitors who intend to “artificially alter” the race’s finishing order. Additionally, crew chief Mike Shiplett remains indefinitely suspended from NASCAR and is also fined $100,000.

The members of the Appeals Board for the hearing were Mr. Dixon Johnston, Mr. Bill Mullis and Mr. Dale Pinilis. The Appellants have the right to appeal the decision of the National Motorsports Appeals Panel to the National Motorsports Final Appeals Officer in accordance with the NASCAR Rule Book.

Driver Cole Custer has been fined $100,000, the #41 Stewart Haas Racing team has been assessed with the loss of 50 driver points and 50 owner points. Crew chief Michael Shiplett has been fined $100,000 and indefinitely suspended from NASCAR.

Custer finished 24th in Sunday’s race. SHR teammate Chase Briscoe placed ninth in the No. 14 Ford, sealing the last berth in the Round of 8 by a two-point margin over 2021 champ Kyle Larson. Officials were investigating whether Custer’s actions on the final lap, in which the car appeared to slow down, intentionally held up others and aided Briscoe’s bid to advance, and it did.

Also, in the Xfinity Series, crew chief Alexander Yontz has been fined $5,000 for a Lug nut(s) not properly installed on the #10-Cassill, and Eric Woods has been indefinitely suspended from NASCAR for behavior.