RFK Racing and Team Penske Experience Major Setback After NASCAR Disqualifications at Talladega
In a shocking turn of events, RFK Racing and Team Penske have decided not to appeal their disqualifications following the NASCAR Cup Series race at Talladega Superspeedway. The disqualifications came after violations were found during post-race inspections, leading to significant changes in the final standings for both teams.
Ryan Preece of RFK Racing was stripped of his second-place finish after being found in violation of section 14.5.8.F of the NASCAR Rule Book, specifically relating to the spoiler on his car. The team mistakenly added an extra shim to the spoiler, resulting in Preece plummeting to 38th place in the final standings. This decision cost Preece valuable championship points, pushing him down to 14th place overall.
Similarly, Joey Logano of Team Penske faced disqualification after finishing fifth due to violations of sections 14.5.8.E and 14.1.P, concerning the spoiler and overall vehicle assembly rules. Logano’s car was found to have a missing spoiler bolt, leading to his demotion to 39th place in the running order. The loss of this top-five finish cost Logano crucial points, causing him to drop from eighth to 11th place in the championship standings.
Both RFK Racing and Team Penske released statements accepting NASCAR’s decisions and acknowledging the unintentional nature of the infractions. Despite the lack of competitive advantage gained from these violations, the teams understand the importance of upholding NASCAR’s standards and have committed to maintaining integrity in future races.
Fans and experts alike are left stunned by these disqualifications, as RFK Racing and Team Penske now face an uphill battle to regain lost ground in the championship standings. With the Cup Series teams gearing up for the next race at Texas Motor Speedway, all eyes will be on how these two powerhouses respond to this setback on the track.
