Logano loses playoff berth after car fails inspection

Logano loses playoff berth after car fails inspection

Cup Series

Logano loses playoff berth after car fails inspection

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NASCAR has levied heavy penalties against Team Penske’s No. 22 team after Joey Logano’s winning car from Richmond International Raceway was found with a rear suspension violation at the R&D Center.

Thursday, NASCAR ruled Logano’s win in the Toyota Owners 400 has been encumbered, meaning it will not count toward the playoffs. Team Penske has been docked 25 owner and driver points while crew chief Todd Gordon has been suspended for two races and the team fined $50,000.

The team said in a statement that it does not plan to appeal the penalty.

“We understand and accept the penalty that was communicated to us today by NASCAR following last weekend’s victory by the No. 22 car at Richmond,” the statement read. “We are disappointed by the notice, however, we do not plan to appeal the penalty. The No. 22 team remains focused on competing for wins as we work towards the NASCAR Playoffs and a Championship. Race Engineer Miles Stanley will serve as Joey Logano’s crew chief this weekend at Talladega Superspeedway, while Greg Erwin will help call race strategy on Sunday.”

Although the car passed post-race inspection, the winning car is routinely taken for a more in-depth inspection and teardown at the R&D Center. Per the NASCAR penalty report the No. 22 did not adhere to Section 20.14.3., Truck Trailing Arm Spacers/Pinion Angle Shims. The Truck trailing arm spacer / pinion angle shim mating surfaces must be planer and must be in complete contact with corresponding mating surfaces at all points and at all times.

Team Penske’s other crew chief, Paul Wolfe, will miss this weekend’s race at Talladega as he serves the second of a three-race suspension this weekend after Team Penske withdrew its request to deter his suspension until its final appeal is heard.

Other penalties from Richmond include Denny Hamlin’s crew chief, Mike Wheeler, being fined $10,000 for one lug nut being improperly secured.

In the Xfinity Series, Danny Stockman, the crew chief for Daniel Hemric, has been suspension for one race and fined $10,000 for two unsecured lug nuts. A $5,000 fine has also been issued to Ty Dillon’s crew chief, Matt Swiderski, and Mark Setzer, the crew chief for Quin Houff, for one unsecured lug nut.

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