Germain Racing announced today that Mike Hillman Sr, General Manager, will serve as interim crew chief for Todd Bodine and the #30 Lumber Liquidators Tundra for this weekend's NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Pursuant to penalties handed down by NASCAR this afternoon, Mike Hillman Jr., crew chief for Bodine, and Mark Hillman, truck chief for the Lumber Liquidators Tundra, must sit out one race weekend.

"As a result of the events that took place following the Truck Series race last weekend at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, Mike Jr. and Mark will serve a one-week suspension and I will call the shots for the #30 Lumber Liquidators Tundra in the Qwik Liner Las Vegas 350," said Mike Hillman Sr., who led the #30 Tundra team to two victories in 2004 before assigning crew chief duties to his son, Hillman Jr., in 2005. 

NASCAR announced today that all teams involved in the post-race altercation at New Hampshire would receive penalties. NASCAR asserted that crew members from Germain Racing violated Sections 12-4-A (actions detrimental to stock car racing) and 12-4-F (team members involved in an altercation with another competitor on pit road after the race had concluded).   Two crew members, Mike Hillman Jr. and Mark Hillman, have been suspended from the next NASCAR Camping World Truck Series event and suspended from NASCAR until Sept. 24. Mike Hillman Jr. has also been fined $2,500 and had his NASCAR probation extended through Dec. 31. Mark Hillman has been fined $1,500 and placed on probation until Dec. 31. Jason Overstreet, crew chief for Germain Racing's No. 9 Tundra has been fined $1,000 and placed on probation until Dec. 31. Additionally, two crew members - Brandon Hopkins for the No. 30 truck and Tony Jilson for the No. 9 truck - have been placed on probation until Dec. 31.  The No. 30 and No. 9 teams are placed on probation until Dec. 31.

"We understand the penalties NASCAR has assigned. After losing two race trucks to the same competitor in a span of just over 10 laps, we let our tempers get the best of us. You can't be a competitive race team without being passionate about your race trucks, your crew members, your drivers. The NASCAR Camping World Truck Series is home to excellent racing and we appreciate NASCAR's commitment to safety on pit road and for the crew members, officials and race fans," said Hillman Sr. 

Mike Hillman Jr. extended an apology for those caught in the cross fire.

"Tempers flared after the race.  In 13 laps Germain Racing lost two race trucks to the same competitor. The result was a rough situation and I want to apologize on behalf of myself and our race team to the NASCAR officials and NASCAR staff that were stuck in the middle.  I also want to extend an apology to Ron Hornaday, Rick Ren and the folks at KHI as well as the race fans. Ron had a terrific race and a well-earned victory and what happened on pit road shouldn't take away from the great performance put on by the 33 team," said Hillman Jr. of the post-race altercation between Germain Racing and another team on pit road.