NASCAR’s Biggest Victories Wiped Out: NASCAR has always maintained strict regulations to ensure fair competition, but in recent years, the enforcement of these rules has led to some high-profile disqualifications. Under the current post-race inspection process, any car that fails to meet NASCAR’s technical guidelines can have its finish stripped, even if it took the checkered flag first.
Since a major rules change in 2019, multiple race winners have lost their victories due to violations discovered after the race. Here are three of the most notable cases where winners were disqualified after post-race inspection.
Ross Chastain – Iowa 2019 (NASCAR Truck Series)
In 2019, Ross Chastain initially celebrated what seemed like a dominant victory at Iowa Speedway in the NASCAR Truck Series race. However, during the post-race inspection, NASCAR officials determined that Chastain’s No. 44 truck, fielded by Niece Motorsports, failed to meet ride height regulations. The front end of the truck was measured to be too low, violating NASCAR’s minimum clearance requirements.
As a result, Chastain was disqualified, and the win was awarded to Brett Moffitt, who had originally finished second. This disqualification was one of the first major applications of NASCAR’s stricter post-race inspection policies, which were introduced earlier that year to ensure teams adhered to the technical rulebook.
Denny Hamlin and Kyle Busch – Pocono 2022 (NASCAR Cup Series)
One of the most shocking moments in recent NASCAR history occurred at Pocono Raceway in 2022. Joe Gibbs Racing teammates Denny Hamlin and Kyle Busch finished first and second in the NASCAR Cup Series race, seemingly securing a dominant 1-2 finish for the team. However, during post-race inspection, both cars failed due to illegal modifications found on their front fascia (the nose section of the car).
NASCAR discovered that unauthorized material had been applied in a way that altered the aerodynamics of the cars, violating strict guidelines on body modifications.
“There was some issues discovered that affect aero of the vehicle. The part was the front fascia. And there really was no reason why there was some material that was somewhere that it shouldn’t have been, and that does basically come down to a DQ.” – (brad moran)
As a result, both Hamlin and Busch were disqualified, marking the first time since 1960 that a NASCAR Cup Series winner lost their victory due to a post-race inspection failure.
With the two Joe Gibbs Racing cars removed from the official results, Chase Elliott, who had originally finished third, was declared the winner. The disqualification also had significant playoff implications, as Hamlin lost out on valuable championship points.
Parker Kligerman – Daytona 2024 (NASCAR Truck Series)
Another notable disqualification took place in February 2024, when Parker Kligerman crossed the finish line first in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series season opener at Daytona International Speedway. Kligerman’s No. 75 truck for Henderson Motorsports underwent post-race inspection, where officials discovered that the rear ride height did not meet the required specifications.
Since ride height regulations play a crucial role in determining a vehicle’s aerodynamic performance, NASCAR took swift action, disqualifying Kligerman from the race. Corey Heim, who originally finished second, was declared the official winner.
NASCAR’s Strict Enforcement Since 2019
Before 2019, NASCAR was often criticized for allowing teams to get away with minor technical infractions, sometimes issuing only fines or points penalties instead of stripping victories. However, under the new rules implemented that year, any car failing post-race inspection is automatically disqualified, with no exceptions.
This policy has led to some controversial moments, but NASCAR remains firm in its stance that rules must be followed to maintain a level playing field. Teams are now under immense pressure to ensure that their cars comply with every aspect of the rulebook, knowing that even a slight violation could erase a hard-earned victory.
As the sport continues to evolve, post-race inspections will remain a crucial part of ensuring fair competition. While disqualifications can be devastating for drivers and teams, they serve as a reminder that in NASCAR, winning on the track is just one part of the battle—passing inspection is the final hurdle.
News in Brief: NASCAR’s Biggest Victories Wiped Out
Since 2019, NASCAR’s stricter post-race inspections have led to major disqualifications, overturning race victories due to technical violations. Notable cases include Ross Chastain (Iowa 2019), whose truck failed ride height regulations, and Denny Hamlin and Kyle Busch (Pocono 2022), disqualified for illegal aerodynamic modifications, giving Chase Elliott the win.
More recently, Parker Kligerman (Daytona 2024) lost his Truck Series victory due to a rear ride height issue. NASCAR’s zero-tolerance policy ensures fair competition, with teams facing automatic disqualification for rule violations. Winning on track is no longer enough—passing post-race inspection is the final challenge to securing victory.
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