NASCAR elects not to penalize Nemechek, Custer for Truck finish

On the final lap of Sunday’s race, John Hunter Nemechek, 19, closed in on Custer and used his bumper on the No. 00 truck in Turn 9.

As the two trucks came down the frontstretch, Nemechek nudged Custer into the grass against the wall and both ran side-by-side with the No. 8 finishing just inches ahead while both crossed the finish line riding off the track surface.

The win was Nemechek’s second this season and third of his career.

Before NASCAR officially declared a winner, Nemechek went to the flag stand to receive the checkers. Custer, 18, made a bee line for the driver of the No. 8 and tackled him on the grass. The teenagers scuffled until they were pulled apart.

In an interview Tuesday on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, executive vice president and chief racing development officer Steve O’Donnell described Nemechek’s actions as aggressive, but reminded listeners car racing is a contact sport.

“When drivers are racing for position, we expect that there could be contact,” he said. “In this case, we would say that was a very aggressive move but made the determination at the race track to declare John Hunter the race winner."