NASCAR Docks Preece 25 Points for Wrecking Gibbs After Radio Threat, Clears Busch

NASCAR issued its weekly penalties Tuesday following Sunday's race at Texas Motor Speedway. Ryan Preece lost 25 points and a $50,000 fine for his incident with Ty Gibbs.

Preece vented frustration over the radio during a mid-race caution. "What a [expletive] idiot that kid is. He is so lucky his car is so [expletive] fast. … All right, when I get to that 54, I’m done with him. [Expletive] idiot," Preece said, targeting the 23-year-old Gibbs.

Preece followed through and wrecked Gibbs' No. 54 car. NASCAR official Mike Forde explained the penalty on the "Hauler Talk" podcast. "We do look at all available resources, whether that’s the video, in-car audio, SMT data," Forde said. "And really what this came down to is … (Preece) said what he said, and then he did what he said."

"And so in our view, it was intentionally wrecking another vehicle," Forde added.

Kyle Busch escaped penalties despite contact with John Hunter Nemechek on the final lap. Busch drove his No. 8 Chevrolet into Nemechek in Turn 3, spinning him into the wall. Video of the crash spread widely online, drawing criticism from Clint Bowyer and Kevin Harvick on the broadcast.

Busch and Nemechek argued about it on social media Sunday night. Forde noted Busch made no radio comments about wrecking Nemechek. SMT data proved inconclusive, sparing Busch a fine or points deduction.

NASCAR's approach drew fan backlash online. Many pointed out that silence on the radio appeared to shield drivers from penalties, unlike Preece's outspoken threat.