NASCAR issues $2,500 fine for Niece Motorsports crew chief

According to the latest developments, NASCAR has fined Niece Motorsports Crew Chief Phil Gould following a technical irregularity during the Craftsman Truck Series race at Pocono. The governing body issed Gould a fine of $2,500 after the #45 truck was found with a loose lug nut.

NASCAR was in Pocono last week for the CRC Brakleen 175 Race at Pocono Raceway. Friday's race was the 14th of the season, and Corey Heim took the Checkered Flag ahead of Grant Enfinger and Christian Eckes.

Ross Chastain of Niece Motorsports drove the #45 truck, and came home in fifth place, behind Taylor Gray, and ahead of Chase Purdy. Chastain's fellow Cup Series mate Zane Smith finished in 20th place.

Interestingly, it was his truck that failed in the post-race inspection.

"Inspection in the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series garage is complete. Heim is the winner. The 45 truck had one lug not secured. No other issues," a post by Speedway Digest read after the race.

After the completion of every race, NASCAR takes the top five cars (trucks in this case) for inspection. All teams and cars taken for the inspection must pass the test. Failure to do so generally results in disqualification.

However, if the discrepancy is slight, the governing body issues a fine, as has happened in Phil Gould's case. These inspections are carried out to keep the playing field level and maintain the sport's integrity.

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After Pocono, NASCAR heads to Indianapolis next

Ross Chastain during the Craftsman Truck Series CRC Brakleen 175 at Pocono Raceway. (Image via Getty Images)

Following an eventful race weekend at Pocono, NASCAR is now headed to the racing capital of the world - Indianapolis. The drivers of all three categories will compete at the famed 2.5-mile oval from July 19-21, 2024.

The Craftsman Truck Series will have the TSport 200 on Friday, followed by the Pennzoil 250 on Saturday (Xfinity Series), and then the eagerly-awaited Brickyard 400 on Sunday.

Christian Eckes continues to lead the Craftsman Truck Series with 618 points after 14 races, followed by Corey Heim with 586 points, and Nicholas Sanchez with 505 points.

In the Xfinity Series, Cole Custer is leading the championship race with 716 points, ahead of Justin Allgaier with 665 points, and Chandler Smith with 657 points after 19 races.

In the Cup Series - the most popular form of NASCAR racing - Chase Elliott is leading the championship from Kyle Larson by three points. Elliott (703 points) took over the lead from his Hendrick Motorsports teammate, Larson (700) at Pocono.

Tyler Reddick is third with 688 points. Ross Chastain, who took part in the Craftsman Truck Series last week, is in 13th place with 530 points.