AUSTIN, TEXAS - MARCH 23: Shane Van Gisbergen, driver of the #97 WeatherTech Chevrolet, drives during the NASCAR Xfinity Series Focused Health 250 at Circuit of The Americas on March 23, 2024 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images) | Getty Images
AUSTIN, TEXAS - MARCH 23: Shane Van Gisbergen, driver of the #97 WeatherTech Chevrolet, drives during the NASCAR Xfinity Series Focused Health 250 at Circuit of The Americas on March 23, 2024 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images) | Getty Images

NASCAR official Elton Sawyer discusses short cutting penalties at COTA

A NASCAR senior official acknowledged Tuesday that after a weekend with dozens of penalties for short cutting the course at Circuit of the Americas there is “some work to be done.”

Elton Sawyer, NASCAR senior vice president of competition, made the comments Tuesday on “The Morning Drive” on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.

“We’re calling balls and strikes on every lap and that’s not really where we want to be,” Sawyer said on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio about the penalties for short cutting the course.

“I commend our team and the tower. I thought they did a good job, but it’s way too much about us and not enough about the athletes and our teams and our pitstops and strategy and things of that nature. Some work to be done.”

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