NASCAR drivers Joey Logano and Ryan Preece were disqualified for car violations after Sunday’s race at Talladega Superspeedway.
Preece’s Roush Fenway Keselowski (RFK) Racing No. 60 Ford had three shims instead of the required two shims on the car’s spoiler, violating Rule 14.5.8.F. Preece finished second in the race but will be given a 38th-place finish.
Logano’s Team Penske No. 22 Ford was missing a spoiler bolt and violated NASCAR Rule 14.5.8.E. Logano’s fifth-place finish is nullified. He will be credited with 39th.
The move slightly dims a solid day for Ford, where Penske driver Austin Cindric won the race by half a car length over Preece. Kyle Larson will now be credited with second.
RFK Racing and Penske now hold the final four spots in Sunday’s race. Brad Keselowski (RFK Racing No. 6) and Ryan Blaney (Penske No. 12) crashed out early and initially had the final two spots in the finishing order.
Cindric won Sunday’s Jack Link’s 500 with a solid green flag pit stop from his crew in the closing stage. The lack of wrecks in the final stage allowed Cindric to keep the lead with help from Kyle Larson as the field ran double-file at the superspeedway.
RFK Racing and Penske will have the opportunity to appeal the penalties.
Richard Childress Racing appealed the disqualification after the penalty was announced. The National Motorsports Appeals Panel announced on Wednesday that Love’s car more than likely violated the rule and upheld the ruling. The board was unable to determine if the violation was done intentionally.
Smith, who drives the No. 8 for JR Motorsports, was granted the win after Love’s disqualification.
Smith, who drives the No. 8 for JR Motorsports, was granted the win after Love’s disqualification.
“RCR is disappointed in NASCAR’s decision today to uphold the disqualification of the No. 2 team,” the team said in a statement. “We will focus our efforts on moving forward and being competitive at Talladega this weekend.”
Love led 53 laps in Saturday’s race, which was the first NASCAR Xfinity Series race at Rockingham since 2004.
