Although initially indicating the incident was unlikely to receive official sanction, NASCAR management evidently changed its collective mind after reviewing video of Marcos Ambrose and Casey Mears in their post-race altercation in the garage area following last Saturday night’s Sprint Cup Series race at Richmond International Raceway.

The sanctioning body announced Tuesday afternoon that Ambrose, driver of the No. 9 car, and Mears, driver of the No. 13 car, were found to have violated Sections 12-1 (actions detrimental to stock car racing), and 12-4.9 (Behavioral Penalty; involved in an altercation in the garage area after the race) as outlined in the 2014 NASCAR rule book. As a result, Ambrose has been fined $25,000 and placed on NASCAR probation until May 28, while Mears has been fined $15,000 and placed on NASCAR probation until May 28. 

• NASCAR video of the incident

A brief statement by his Richard Petty Motorsports team read: “Marcos Ambrose accepts the penalties levied by NASCAR after his actions at Richmond International Raceway. Ambrose will not appeal.”