To Scott Miller, NASCAR, and all technical inspectors: it’s time to clean up this mess.

A reminder probably isn’t necessary that 11 cars didn’t get the chance to qualify Friday night at Kansas Speedway because of issues at the Laser Inspection Station. It’s most likely the main topic in your weekend review – if there is such a thing.

But regardless, the shenanigans seen Friday have gone on too long. We know it. You know it. After all, if Miller, the vice president of competition, could have said to teams in the garage what he really wanted to, his interview with Fox Sports 1 most likely would have been a lot more pointed than it was. Although his demeanor made it clear the level of frustration this has caused.

“Well, yeah, there’s a lot of time, and we think we’ve given [teams] plenty good inspection window to get the job done,” Miller told FS1. “Competitors are pushing the limits, and they’re not making it. It’s disappointing, I’m sure, to a lot of the competitors that they weren’t able to qualify, but it’s disappointing to us that they aren’t presenting their cars in a way that they’d make it through inspection. Kind of the worst of both worlds, actually.”

The question needs to be answered: Who’s at fault here? Someone has to be. Determining that is the only way something is going to change, and goodness, do we need to change this. The blame game that is so well and so often played is making the sport look bad.

Take a look at some of what the drivers said:

“This is just, wow,” Clint Bowyer said. “Super disappointing. You are off ten-thousandths of an inch. It’s ridiculous. Most people can’t even understand how little that is. I get it. If you’re off, you’re off, but I watched my guys move the car and adjust the car accordingly for it and then actually overcompensate on it because we were worried about not making it. Then they wheel it back in and fail the exact same amount? Twice? That makes no sense. None.”

David Ragan admitted the rule is black and white. However, he added his belief there’s some inconsistency in the LIS machine.

“Because there is different tire deflection, the plate is going to be a little different,” Ragan said. “The only thing I am not too sure about is how so many cars cannot get through. Everybody is not trying to cheat on the same thing.”

Said Dale Earnhardt Jr.: “The guys are certainly disappointed about not being able to get through tech because we felt like we should have been able to pass and we actually ran the car through right after practice, and everything was good. I don’t know why it failed, but I’m sure that’s the way everybody feels that didn’t get through, it’s like they don’t understand what’s going on …”

For transparency, I admit the problem could lie with the LIS machine. Technology isn’t perfect. Something could have shifted. The numbers could be skewed, no pun intended. I also admit that I’m open to the problem being with the teams. The need to find every little advantage and the continued work to explore new areas to play in will never go away.

But the teams aren’t going to stand up and admit they’re the reason for these Friday embarrassments. Making NASCAR out to always be the Big Bad Wolf is much easier. And speaking directly to NASCAR, I bet you don’t want to have to be the one to stand up and say the issue was your machine.

Here’s the thing: Please do something before this boils over in a big way. Because it’s going to. Either publicly – which will lead to more negative headlines – or behind closed doors.

If I may offer a suggestion: Even if you don’t believe the LIS is wrong, check it over. Then take back control of the conversation.

Right now, many believe NASCAR is at fault. NASCAR is the reason such and such didn’t get to qualify; NASCAR doesn’t know what they’re doing. Change the narrative. You are the sanctioning body; you are the authority. Drop the hammer.

Miller said it best: Teams aren’t presenting their cars the way they should be. So, if the issue really is with the cars and the teams, then perhaps reminding crew chiefs who’s in charge will help. Perhaps stiffer penalties will take away the desire to test the inspection process?

First though, must be the cleansing.