Penalty For Whelen Modified Tour Rules Violation At Bristol Cuts Ryan Preece’s Points Lead

With four events remaining in the 2013 NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour season, Ryan Preece saw his points lead over second place Doug Coby cut from 28 to 22 points Thursday because of a penalty.

NASCAR announced Thursday that they were penalizing Preece’s Flamingo Motorsports team for a rules violation found during post-race inspection following the Titan Roof 150 on Aug. 21 at Bristol Motor Speedway.

According to a release from NASCAR, Preece’s car was:
“found to be in violation of Sections 12-1 (actions detrimental to stock car racing); 12-4-I (any determination by NASCAR officials that the race equipment used in the event does not conform to NASCAR rules); and 20D-10.5A (Only a one-piece magnetic steel drive shaft with a minimum outside diameter of two (2) inches and a minimum thickness of 0.090 inch will be permitted: Drive shaft did not meet the minimum thickness.) of the 2013 NASCAR rule book.”

Preece was docked six points in the driver standings because of the violation. Mike Stefanik, third in the standings, is now 42 points behind Preece. Coby won last year’s Whelen Modified Tour championship.

Preece’s crew chief, Stan “Sly” Szaban was fined $500 for the violation and suspended from NASCAR until payment of the fine. He was also placed on probation until Oct. 30. Team owner Eric Sanderson was penalized six points in the owner’s standings.