As the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series gears up for the finale of its playoff round 10, every point becomes worth its weight in gold. However, in what could be seen as a major slip-up or perhaps a calculated gamble, Hailie Deegan’s teammate has faced the music. The driver has been slapped with a penalty, and his crew chief hasn’t escaped the net either, receiving a hefty $25,000 fine and a cold shoulder for the upcoming four championship point events.

However, with the ThorSport Racing driver already riding high on the playoff leaderboard, many argue that this penalty might just be a drop in the ocean. Fans have been quick to cry foul, accusing NASCAR of imposing a penalty that seems more like a slap on the wrist than a fitting reprimand.

The No. 98 ThorSport team was hit with an L2 penalty after the Milwaukee Mile Speedway race

After the dust settled from the Milwaukee Mile Speedway race, the No. 98 ThorSport Racing driver and co. found themselves in hot water on a Tuesday afternoon. The eagle-eyed officials at NASCAR dropped the hammer with a hefty L2 penalty, having caught wind of an irregularity during the pre-race inspection, where they seized the truck’s right rear tire.

Hailie Deegan’s cohort ran afoul of the rule book, specifically Section 14.16. Delving deeper, the A and C subsections of 14.16.1 were highlighted; one focused on the nitty-gritty of wheels and tires, while the other threw light on wheel assemblies.

The fallout from this transgression is stark: Ty Majeski finds himself lighter by 75 championship driver points and 5 playoff points.

However, thanks to his previous victory lap at IRP, his ticket to the Round of 8 remains intact, rendering the points deduction a mere bump in the road. Still, should he miss the mark for the Championship Round, he will revert to his regular season’s tally, sweetened with an additional 2,000 points.

Watch This Story: Brad Keselowski Suggests NASCAR Compromised Daytona Amid Roush Fenway Keselowski Racings Takeover

The move by NASCAR has left many fans crying over spilled milk, voicing their discontent over a decision that, in the grand scheme of things, doesn’t tip the scales in the playoff standings.

NASCAR fans are up in arms over what they’re dubbing a “useless” sanction slapped on Ty Majeski

While the NASCAR brass has reprimanded him for stepping out of line, the reality is that the penalty won’t throw a wrench in his Round 10 finale plans. The seeming ineffectiveness has NASCAR enthusiasts crying foul, with many lobbing critiques as the punishment appears to be all bark and no bite.

Among the sea of disapproving voices, some went as far as branding the penalty as “useless,” with remarks echoing sentiments such as:

“So 5 playoff points, basically a slap on the wrist at this point,”

“Doesn’t seem nearly enough since they purposely violated one of the Holy Trinity of NASCAR; fuel, engine, tires,”

“the most useless “big” points deduction in nascar history lmao,”

“Useless penalty ngl outside of CC,”

Others simply read between the lines, suggesting the penalty was less of a shot across Majeski’s bow and more of a loud and clear bell tolling for others to tread carefully.

“Less of a penalty due to his win, but a pretty strong warning to others not to try it in the future. And the 5 playoff points could wind up being important.”

Read More: Days after Indy triumph, Ty Majeski’s hunger flares amidst NASCAR’s Milwaukee return

Needless to say, while Majeski might brush off the penalty as small potatoes, the sidelining of his crew chief for a quartet of races is sure to throw a spanner in the works. We’d love to hear your take. Was this just a gentle rap on the knuckles or the maximum that could have been done by NASCAR?