NASCAR owner Chip Ganassi suspended one race for violating COVID-19 protocols at Daytona

NASCAR officials issued a one-race suspension for team owner Chip Ganassi on Monday for violating COVID-19 event protocols last weekend at Daytona International Speedway.

Officials on Monday said that Ganassi’s penalty was for bringing a non-essential individual into the restricted competition area. 

Ganassi violated Section 12.8.1.b of the NASCAR Rule Book, a subsection of the member conduct guidelines that includes compliance with COVID-19 event procedures.

Ganassi was also fined $30,000.

Pending a potential appeal, Ganassi is barred from this weekend’s NASCAR Cup Series event at Homestead-Miami Speedway.

Chip Ganassi Racing is still permitted to field its two entries — the No. 1 Chevrolet for driver Kurt Busch and the No. 42 Chevy for Ross Chastain — in Sunday’s event.

Additionally, two Cup Series crew chiefs were fined $10,000 after their cars were found with one unsecured lug nut after Sunday's race at Daytona's Road Course.

Those penalized were crew chief Adam Stevens, crew chief for the race-winning No. 20 of Christopher Bell, and crew chief Jeremy Bullins for Brad Keselowski, who was fifth.