NASCAR releases Martinsville penalty report with head-scratching suspension for driver's dad

The NASCAR penalty report from the weekend at Martinsville has been released, and the major news is the suspension of Sam Mayer for his post-race incident with Jeb Burton. But there was another suspension that raises some eyebrows: Shane Gray, the father of Xfinity Series winner Taylor Gray, was also suspended.

Unlike Mayer, who received a one-race suspension from NASCAR, Shane Gray was suspended indefinitely from NASCAR for a violation of the code of conduct. No further details on the suspension were immediately available.

The only other penalty handed down by NASCAR was at the Cup Series level, where Cody Ware lost a tire. He saw two crew members — De’Quan Hampton and Marquill Osborne — suspended from the next two races, through the Clash at Bowman Gray.

Taylor Gray, of course, won the Xfinity Series race at Martinsville. It was his first win in the Xfinity Series.

So the suspension of his father, seemingly for an indefinite period, is certainly a noteworthy penalty. Gray secured the win after out-racing Sammy Smith to the finish line.

Sam Mayer suspended for Jeb Burton wreck

Right after Taylor Gray took the win at Martinsville, Sam Mayer got himself into trouble by wrecking Jeb Burton after the checkered flag. NASCAR has announced a suspension for Mayer in the Xfinity Series. He will miss the race at Phoenix.

The incident occurred shortly after the race. A bit of drama between Mayer and Burton boiled over after the checkered flag and ended in a wrecked 27 car. Jordan Anderson, Burton’s car owner, even went to scold Mayer on pit road himself. Mayer seemed to brush it off.

According to Seth Eggert of Motorsports Reference, the suspension for Mayer is the first for a post-race retaliation incident in NASCAR since Jimmy Spencer at Michigan in 2003. And Haas Factory Team will not appeal the decision.

“Although we are disappointed with the results, Haas Factory Team will not appeal the penalty NASCAR issued to Sam Mayer and the No. 41 team following last weekend’s race at Martinsville Speedway,” a Haas Factory Team statement read. “We remain focused on finishing the season out strong at Phoenix Raceway and look forward to contending for a race win with Ryan Sieg at the wheel.”

Given that Haas Factory Team has now commented on Mayer’s incident, it’ll be interesting to see if Taylor Gray speaks out about his dad. The penalty is significant.

On3’s Jonathan Howard also contributed to this report.