Xfinity Series team owner Anthony Clements’ appeal of a fine by NASCAR for violating its COVID-19 protocols earlier this month was denied by the National Motorsports Appeals Panel on Wednesday.
Clements, who owns Jeremy Clements’ No. 51 Chevrolet, was fined $10,000 on July 14 for violating the protocol during the series’ doubleheader weekend at Kentucky Speedway.
The panel affirmed and upheld the original penalty assessed by NASCAR.
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Clements violated section 12.8.1.b of the Member Conduct Guidelines and section 7.7.2.j Team Event Roster Guidelines in the rulebook.
Among the potential violations in Section 12.8.1.b is that a member can be fined $5,000-$25,000 for: “Failure to comply with NASCAR’s COVID-19 Event Protocol Guidelines and/or instructions from NASCAR including screenings, social distancing, compartmentalization, and use of required personal protective equipment, etc.”
The appeals panel was made up of Tom DeLoach, David Hall and Kelly Housby.
Clements has the right to appeal the decision of the National Motorsports Appeals Panel to the National Motorsports Final Appeals Officer.