Many felt that Conner Jones, a part-time NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series competitor for ThorSport Racing, crossed the finish line during Saturday’s Baptist Health 200 at Homestead-Miami Speedway when he intentionally crashed Matt Mills at round 76 of the event. On Wednesday, NASCAR released its weekly sanctions report, and the sanctioning body agreed by imposing a one-race suspension on the 18-year-old driver.

RELATED: Matt Mills released from hospital two days after Fiery Homestead accident

According to the penalty report, Jones was found to be in violation of Sections 4.3.A and 4.4.B of the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series rulebook, which pertains to NASCAR’s member code of conduct.

Mills, who crashed violently into the Turn 4 wall after contact with Jones, spent two days in a local hospital after the race under observation after suffering smoke inhalation after his truck caught fire during the accident.

Jones released a statement on social media apologizing for the incident with Mills, but the driver was criticized by fans speculating that the statement was generated by artificial intelligence or that Jones had hired someone to construct the statement in its place.

“I have not yet had the opportunity to personally apologize to Matt for the incident during today’s race at Homestead-Miami Speedway, but I intend to do so” , Jones said in the release. “Matt and I encountered several incidents on track this season, and I let my frustration get the better of me. I underestimated the impact my actions would have on Matt, and I deeply regret the consequences that follow up.”

“I would like to extend my sincerest apologies to Matt, Niece Motorsports, NASCAR and my entire ThorSport Racing team for my unsportsmanlike behavior. My thoughts are with Matt, during this time, after learning he was taken to the hospital for further evaluation following contact on the racecourse.”

Mills was released from the hospital Monday afternoon.

Jones, who originally appeared on the entry list for this weekend’s NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Zip Buy Now, Pay Later 200 at Martinsville Speedwayis not eligible to compete. According to an updated entry list released by NASCAR, 2016 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series champion Johnny Sauter will drive the No. 66 ThorSport Racing Ford F-150 this weekend. Sauter was initially listed as a part-time driver of the No. 16 Toyota Tundra for Hattori Racing Enterprises.

On Wednesday, the entry list indicates “To Be Announced” (TBA) in the driver slot of truck #16.

Jones, a native of Fredericksburg, Virginia, has competed in 12 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series events this season and recorded a best 11th place finish, which he earned at Charlotte Motor Speedway in May. Jones finished 25th at Homestead-Miami Speedway after being issued a two-lap in-race penalty for rough driving.

Additionally, NASCAR imposed a one-race suspension on Front Row Motorsports NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series crew chief Dylan Cappello for an infraction involving an unsecured ball on the No. 38 Ford F-150 truck during the event in Homestead. Layne Riggs, who drives the truck, was also awarded 10 championship driver points, and the No. 38 team had 10 championship owner points deducted.

NASCAR also issued four fines for unsecured lug nuts during a combined post-race inspection between the NASCAR Xfinity Series and NASCAR Truck Series garages.

In the NASCAR Xfinity Series, Mardy Lindley (JR Motorsports No. 1 crew chief), Andy Street (Richard Childress Racing No. 21 crew chief) and Joe Williams (RSS Racing No. 39 crew chief ) were fined $5,000 each for having an unsecured lug nut on their cars after Saturday’s event at Homestead.

Charles Walter was the only NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series crew chief arrested for a lug nut violation, as his No. 71 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet Silverado was missing a lug nut during post-race inspection . Walter was fined $2,500 for this offense.