Five NASCAR Cup Series teams faced penalties on Saturday after failing technical inspection twice at Bristol Motor Speedway. The issue came up during pre-race checks before Sunday’s event. NASCAR officials enforce strict inspection rules, and a second failure leads to automatic penalties.
According to Jeff Gluck, the affected drivers were Kyle Larson, Ross Chastain, Cole Custer, Chad Finchum, and Michael McDowell. Each team failed inspection on its first two attempts. That result triggered penalties that affect crew members and pit stall selection.
All five cars later passed inspection on the third attempt, allowing them to compete in Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series race at Bristol Motor Speedway.
NASCAR Cup Series Inspection Failures Lead to Penalties
NASCAR requires every team to pass inspection before the race. Officials check body measurements, ride height, and other key areas that affect performance and safety. A team that fails once gets another chance. If it fails twice, NASCAR applies penalties right away in the NASCAR Cup Series garage.
Larson, Chastain, Custer, and Finchum each lost their car chief for the rest of the weekend. They also lost the ability to choose their pit stall. McDowell’s No. 34 Front Row Motorsports team lost its engineer and pit selection. These penalties take effect immediately and stay in place through the event.
The removed crew members cannot return to work on the cars. Teams must adjust their plans and continue with fewer people. This can influence communication, setup adjustments, and race strategy ahead of the green flag.
Bristol Motor Speedway’s Layout Increases the Impact
Bristol Motor Speedway is one of the shortest tracks on the NASCAR schedule. The track measures just over half a mile and features steep banking in the turns. Cars run close together for most of the race, which puts pressure on drivers and crews at Bristol Motor Speedway.
Track position matters at Bristol Motor Speedway. Passing becomes challenging as the field spreads out, and pit road also significantly influences the race. A good pit stall enables a driver to enter and exit swiftly, while a poor stall can delay a stop and cause a loss of positions.
Teams that lose the pit selection must take what is left. This often places them in less favorable spots, including stalls near the end of pit road or in tight areas. Over a full race, this can cost time during each stop.
The loss of key crew members adds to the challenge. Teams rely on car chiefs and engineers to guide adjustments during the race. Without them, decisions must come from a smaller group.
Teams Adjust Ahead of NASCAR Cup Series Race
All five teams returned to inspection and passed on their third attempt. That allowed their drivers to remain in the field on Sunday. However, the penalties still apply and will affect race preparation and execution.
Larson drives for Hendrick Motorsports, while Chastain competes for Trackhouse Racing. Custer races with Stewart-Haas Racing. Each team now prepares with fewer resources than the rest of the NASCAR Cup Series field.
NASCAR did not release details about the exact reasons for the failures. This is standard unless a violation leads to further action after the race.
The situation shows how strict inspection remains across the NASCAR Cup Series. Teams are required to fulfill all prerequisites prior to competing. At Bristol, small issues can lead to early setbacks that carry into race day.
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