CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Unapproved gloves will cost Penske Racing's Joey Logano thousands of dollars while two Stewart-Haas Racing drivers were slapped with a hefty points penalty for roof violations.
NASCAR released its penalties on Tuesday after Sunday's Ambetter Health 400 race at Atlanta Motor Speedway. Logano received a $10,000 fine for "modifying an SFI-approved protective glove." The NASCAR rule book requires gloves to meet SFI-approved specifications, according to NASCAR.
NASCAR found that Logano's left-hand glove was modified with webbing between the thumb and index finger.
The glove violation was noticed after qualifying and forced Logano to start at the back of the field after qualifying second. Logano finished 28th on Sunday after being involved in a crash.
While the fine hurts, Logano is likely thankful there was not a points penalty along with the decision. Logano, a two-time Cup Series champion, is 31st in the driver standings after the race's two races. Neither Logano nor Penske Racing have commented on the fine.
Stewart-Haas Racing drivers Noah Gragson and Ryan Preece were penalized 35 driver and owner points for roof rail violations that were discovered during practice sessions.
NASCAR said the roof air deflectors did not fall under the rule book's requirement for those parts.
Gragson, who drives the No. 10 Ford Mustang for SHR, finished 36th on Sunday and now has negative six points this season after the penalty. Preece drives the No. 41 Ford Mustang for SHR and finished 16th on Sunday. He left the season's second race with 35 points on the year, meaning he heads into next week with zero points.
These penalties create an even bigger challenge for SHR in what was already looking like a rough season for the team. The highest driver in points is Chase Briscoe in 22nd. Only the now-retired Kevin Harvick made the NASCAR playoffs last season and co-owner Tony Stewart has expressed frustration about the team's performance.
Neither the team nor drivers have commented on the penalties.
The NASCAR Cup Series is next in action on Sunday at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway for the Pennzoil 400 presented by Jiffy Lube.