Suspension For Stephen Kopcik On NASCAR Modified Tour Overturned Following Appeal 

NASCAR announced Tuesday that the one-race NASCAR Modified Tour suspension announced by the sanctioning body last week has been overturned on appeal. 

NASCAR had originally suspended Kopcik one race, fined him $1,500 and put him on probation through Dec. 31, 2025 for his actions against fellow competitor Tyler Rypkema during the FaithFest Evangelistic Ministries 150 on May 18 at North Wilkesboro Speedway. 

On Tuesday NASCAR announced that, after consideration by the National Motorsports Appeals Panel, the penalty was amended. Kopcik will now be fined $2,500 and be on probation through Dec. 31, 2025. Kopcik is suspended from NASCAR until the $2,500 fine is paid. 

A release from NASCAR stated: “In reaching the above decision, the panel provided the following explanation: ‘The panel believes that although there were several factors that contributed to the wreck, ultimately, the contact by the 21 car [Kopcik] against the 3 car [Rypkema] was intentional.‘”

The Appeals Panel members were Chuck Deery, Hunter Nickell and Cathy Rice. 

On lap 105 of the event at North Wilkesboro, Kopcik ended a feisty battle for fourth place with Tyler Rypkema by sending Rypkema’s car into the turn one wall. The move by Kopcik appeared to be intentional. Rypkema had tapped Kopcik from behind in turn the lap before. 

After three of 16 events on the NASCAR Modified Tour schedule this season, Kopcik is fifth in the driver standings, eight points behind standings leader Craig Lutz. 

Rypkema was fined $500 for his actions following the wreck. Rypkema went onto the track after the incident as Kopcik’s car came around under caution. Rypkema flipped off Kopcik as he drove by.