Danica Patrick, Kyle Busch Fined: Latest Details, Comments, Reaction
NASCAR fined Danica Patrick $20,000 on Thursday after "she walked toward the racing surface to gesture at Kasey Kahne's passing car" following a crash at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, California.
According to NASCAR's official release, Patrick violated on-track incident procedures and is now on probation for the next four events.
"Patrick emerged from the car and walked toward the waiting ambulance for the mandatory ride to the infield care center, but—though she stayed below the uppermost white stripe delineating the racing surface from the track apron—her path deviated and included an agitated gesture in Kahne's direction," NASCAR.com explained.
Kahne—who was not disciplined—has since apologized for the wreck in a Twitter post:
Kyle Bush was also fined $10,000 and placed on probation for the next four NASCAR events after he failed to complete his "post-race media obligations" following last weekend's Xfinity Series race at Auto Club Speedway.
Beyond the two fines, NASCAR also issued warnings to Sprint Cup Series teams for failing pre-race inspections twice.
According to NASCAR's report, the teams for Austin Dillon, Matt Kenseth, Ryan Blaney and Paul Menard were all warned for failing the pre-qualifying Laser Inspection Station, while Carl Edwards' team was warned for failing the pre-race Laser Inspection Station.
With Sprint Cup racing off for the Easter holiday this weekend, Patrick, Busch and Co. will need to wait until the STP 500 on April 3 at Martinsville Speedway in Ridgeway, Virginia, before they can burn rubber again.
