A three-member appeals panel on Wednesday upheld a penalty that NASCAR officials issued to Craftsman Truck Series champion Ty Majeski for missing a media event before the series’ season-ending race.
The National Motorsports Appeals Panel determined that the $12,500 fine issued to Majeski on Nov. 5 would stand, saying: “Driver failed to meet contractual agreement with NASCAR. One of the most, if not most, important media obligations of the entire season.”
Majeski was fined for missing Playoffs Media Day on Nov. 5 for championship-eligible drivers in North Carolina, held three days before the series’ deciding race at Phoenix Raceway. The violation fell under the NASCAR Rule Book’s Section 4.4.A, which deals with NASCAR Member Conduct, specifically “failure to complete media obligations” in Majeski’s case.
Majeski indicated during a media availability on the eve of the championship race at Phoenix that he planned to appeal, saying that he had the support of his ThorSport Racing team. The 30-year-old driver explained that he skipped the Tuesday media session to cast his ballot on Election Day in his home state of Wisconsin.
A NASCAR spokesperson said last month that officials were not aware of the reason for Majeski’s absence until after the fine was issued, saying that they would have worked with the driver on the timing of the media obligations had they been made aware of his intentions.
Neither Majeski nor ThorSport immediately indicated whether they would pursue a final appeal. The three-member appeals panel was represented Wednesday by Hunter Nickell, Cathy Rice and Lake Speed.
This news appeared first on @Nascar
