RFK Racing and Team Penske have decided not to appeal their disqualifications from the recent NASCAR Cup Series race held at Talladega Superspeedway. The race, marked by high anticipation, ended on a controversial note as both teams faced penalties due to technical infractions, leading to significant changes in the final standings.
Ryan Preece and the No. 60 RFK Racing team were disqualified from their second-place finish due to a violation involving the spoiler, breaching NASCAR Rule Book section 14.5.8.F. The infraction involved the use of three shims instead of the mandated two. Consequently, Preece was relegated to the 38th position, dramatically impacting his points tally and dropping him from what would have been 12th to 14th in the championship standings. RFK Racing stated,
“The infraction stemmed from an unintentional adjustment during pre-race inspection…we respect the ruling and remain committed to integrity and adherence to NASCAR’s standards.”
In a similar turn of events, Joey Logano and the No. 22 Team Penske car, which completed the race in fifth place, faced disqualification for breaches of sections 14.5.8.E and 14.1.P, related to the spoiler and overall vehicle rules. Logano’s car was found with a missing spoiler bolt, reducing his position to 39th and costing him his first top-five finish this season and valuable championship points. Team Penske issued a statement explaining,
“One of the 18 bolts on the surface of the spoiler that connect to the base was found to be loose, and NASCAR penalized the team as a result. This was not intentional and happened throughout the course of the race event.”
The disqualifications have generated a wave of frustration and disappointment among fans and teams alike, highlighting the stringent technical standards upheld by NASCAR. As both RFK Racing and Team Penske accept their penalties without plans for appeal, the decision underscores the sport’s commitment to maintaining fairness and transparency. With the Cup Series teams set to return to action at Texas Motor Speedway, all eyes will be on how these teams rebound from the setbacks.
