NASCAR Crew Member Suspended, Fined $25k For Selling VIP Passes
on Mar 20, 2023
Before the start of NASCAR’s 2023 season, sports officials announced new rules regarding the sale of passes that allow people to access the event. These news rules were setup to prevent teams or personnel from reselling the passes and folks are already beginning to get in hot water over it.
Just last week, Hendrick Motorsports received the largest penalty in the history of NASCAR which stacked up to a whopping $400,000. Also penalized and fined $50,000 was Denny Hamlin for having contact with Ross Chastain.
Fined $25,000 and indefinitely suspended by NASCAR is also Joshua Creech.
According to Racing News, Creech was found in violation of section 4.4D: “Selling NASCAR Single Event Credentials (VIP Passes, Essential Worker Passes, etc.)”
Creech is a crew member for Jeremy Clements Racing and the outlet further explained what got him specifically fined was that he sold VIP passes to a fan at Phoenix Raceway.
The VIP passes allow NASCAR teams, sponsors, and event organizers to enter into special areas of the event, like the garage, pit, and center of the field inside the track. These areas are often referred to as “hot spots” at a NASCAR event.
Each VIP pass has written on the back of it, “A Single Event Credential is not for resale, barter or trade. Only NASCAR may issue or sell an SEC. Any duplication, unauthorized sale, resale, barter or trade by any party may subject that party and/or the applicant listed on this credential to criminal prosecution.”
“This credential is for limited access to designated areas in the NASCAR garage and designated areas in Pit Lane for this Event only. This credential will be issued for the expressed and exclusive use of the applicant listed on this credential.”
It adds, “This credential is non-transferable and may be revoked by NASCAR at any time at NASCAR’s sole discretion. If this credential is lost or stolen, the applicant must notify NASCAR officials immediately.”
Creech runs a Facebook Group called “Racing Consignments” and on Feb 24 he posted a statement letting his followers know about the new changes to the sport.
“NASCAR has deemed it illegal to do any for sale of passes, anyone who promotes the selling of a pass could be blacklisted from NASCAR and the team or teams associated with selling could also face severe punishment,” he wrote, according to Racing News.
He continued, “If you own, manage, or endorse a company that is within the code of conduct for a partnership of a race team (no weed or tobacco companies) and would like to become a sponsor on a car that is separate from the ruling put out.”
“Any sponsors must be able to provide a brief description of said company for nascar approval and present a graphic i.e. logo of said company to be displayed on the car.”
“For races I attend this year if you do decide to sponsor a car through us I will personally assist you in tours, meet and greets, picture with the car, etc. Perks sponsors can receive by becoming a partner is supplying (sic) is not limited to or guaranteed is things such as passes, grid walks, meet and greets, swag bags, etc. We DO NOT CONDONE the outright selling of passes and will not entertain any proposals that resemble as such.”
