Childers was fined $20,000 and suspended through Aug. 3, which means he will miss this weekend’s race at Pocono. He was also placed on NASCAR probation through Dec. 31.
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He was suspended for lug nuts not being properly installed, as discovered in post-race inspection, according to NASCAR. Stewart-Haas Racing will not appeal the penalty. Team engineer Dax Gerringer will work as interim crew chief this weekend, according to ESPN.
Harvick already has a win this year, with 16 top-10 finishes, eight of them top fives.
The teams of Kasey Kahne, Paul Menard, Kurt Busch, Matt DiBenedetto and Aric Almirola were given written warnings.
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NASCAR began cracking down on lug nuts after Tony Stewart’s public complaints that gave voice to other drivers. Stewart was fined for speaking ill about NASCAR … whose officials reinstituted rules and stengthened enforcement of correct lug nut tightness. Stewart is Harvick’s teammate and Stewrt-Haas co-owner.
Sprint Cup teams begin practice at Pocono on Friday, qualifying that afternoon. Sunday’s race, the Pennsylvania 400, begins about 1:30 p.m. ET Sunday.
