NASCAR recently has been on a spree for penalizing drivers and the teams. While their verdict on the race manipulation tactics involving the Cup drivers was spot on, the same cannot be said for Ty Majeski’s $12,500 fine. He didn’t do anything egregious; in fact, it wasn’t even a race-related incident. Instead, NASCAR fined him for missing the media day ahead of the Truck Series finals in Phoenix.

Majeski was traveling to his home state of Wisconsin to cast his vote for the presidential election. When the team learned about the fine, they decided to appeal it as they deemed that the driver’s duties as a US citizen were above the media day. This stance was further emphasized by ThorSport Racing owner Duke and Ronda’s daughter Allison Thorson.

Could NASCAR have planned the media schedule better?

Now it isn’t ideal for any sporting league or series to host a media day for its athletes on an important day like an election. After all, the dates for elections were announced well in advance, and NASCAR could’ve avoided getting into a sticky situation. When Ty Majeski was asked about his absence from the media day, his response was clear and up to the point.

He said, “I felt like I needed to do my duty as a US citizen to vote, and my team owners and I, we all made the decision to exercise that right.” He further explained that he had no communication with NASCAR and that ThorSport were in contact with NASCAR the whole time. This is why after the driver won the championship race, Allison Thorson, who was present for the media availability, was asked about the reasoning behind Majeski’s ditching the media obligation.

Her response again was clear and stated the importance of the election day. “Let’s focus on first of all, we were lucky to live in the United States of America, and we get the right to vote. If it wasn’t that we didn’t live in America, there’s a reason why everybody is coming here, and there’s a reason why there are so many fans in NASCAR. So first we’re gonna respect his right to be a US citizen.”

She also stated that Ty Majeski and ThorSports drivers have a good track record when it comes to media obligations. And NASCAR could’ve come out with an alternative rather than brandishing a fine to their driver. “He’s a great guy, and he’s happy to be here, and of course any other time, Ty, he also did media via Zoom call on a set day. And if you look at our record with all other drivers, they were definitely present, and we agree about being present and being a united force as an organization.”

While such distraction could sway a driver’s focus and attention from the big event, Majeski was on his A-game at Phoenix and cliched the Truck Series championship.

Ty Majeski did his talking on the racetrack

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Despite being the last driver to advance in the final four, Majeski made a huge turnaround, being the first one to cross the finish line in Phoenix on Friday. He crossed the line four seconds clear of his nearest rival, Corey Heim, in what was a dominating performance. This was Majeski’s first Truck Series title win, while a second in a row for the team ThorSport Racing.

Starting from the pole, Majeski led 132 of 150 laps in the race. Heim did put up a good fight but wasn’t able to close the gap on the driver of the No. 98 truck. “This is so much fun racing with this group. I’m so proud to have the opportunity to drive these great race trucks. There’s a lot of times in my career when this looked like a far dream. Duke and Rhonda really gave me my third opportunity after I had two opportunities that failed-man, I can’t thank them enough.” Majeski said this after the race.

As for the penalty he picked up, Majeski’s reasoning was quite simple. It was only after the Martinsville win that he confirmed a spot in the Championship 4. Once he got to Phoenix, he made short work of the race, picking up the Truck Series trophy and celebrating with an iconic motorsports celebration: a shoey.

Clearly, ThorSport does know how to win titles with talented race car drivers. This was their third championship triumph in the last four years. It will be interesting to see what NASCAR’s take on the appeal to the fine will be like.