Following Sunday’s NASCAR Cup and Xfinity events in Indianapolis, Hendrick Motorsports post-Indianapolis car scrutiny intensified as officials selected several vehicles, including those from Hendrick Motorsports and Joe Gibbs Racing, for additional inspection at the NASCAR R&D Center in Concord, North Carolina.
Both the Cup Series and Xfinity Series races ended under a cloud of uncertainty for some top teams, with NASCAR confirming on Sunday evening that some of the sport’s leading names would have their cars subjected to further examination. Bubba Wallace, who secured victory in the Cup Series at the Verizon 400, passed post-race inspection, guaranteeing his win. However, two other cars did not receive the same immediate clearance.
Additional Inspections for Select Cars
NASCAR officials announced that Chris Buescher’s No. 17 RFK Racing ford/”>Ford, which finished 14th, and Chase Briscoe’s No. 19 Joe Gibbs Racing toyota/”>Toyota, which crossed the line in 18th, would be thoroughly inspected in the coming days. Cars to undergo scrutiny also included Jesse Love’s Richard Childress Racing entry, Kyle Larson’s No. 17 from Hendrick Motorsports, Ryan Sieg’s RSS Racing machine, and the No. 54 driven by Taylor Gray for Joe Gibbs Racing.
The affected cars were transported to the NASCAR R&D Center in Concord for specialized checks, part of a process that can reveal rule violations or mechanical irregularities not detected during initial post-race assessments. Saturday’s Xfinity race winner, teenager Connor Zilish, was cleared after his car passed inspection, but Kyle Larson, who claimed fourth in the Cup race, faces a wait to learn whether his result stands or may be jeopardized by the ongoing investigation.
Understanding NASCAR’s Post-Race Inspection Process
While expanded post-race scrutiny has become a routine but selective procedure for NASCAR, it retains the potential to deeply impact race outcomes and championship standings. The process, performed at the R&D Center in North Carolina, provides officials an opportunity to dismantle cars and uncover violations that may go unnoticed during the standard trackside review.
Recent history has shown the consequences can be severe. After the Pocono event in June, the Hendrick Motorsports No. 17 car was found with a main frame rail conical receiver violation. Crew chief Adam Wall received a three-race suspension, and the team lost 40 owner points, 10 playoff points, along with a $40,000 fine.
Daytona 500 post-race events also highlighted the stakes, as Chase Briscoe from Joe Gibbs Racing was heavily penalized for running with an illegally modified spoiler after taking pole position. That infraction resulted in a 100-point deduction, a 10-playoff-point penalty, a $100,000 fine, and a four-race suspension for crew chief James Small. However, following an appeal, all penalties were eventually lifted.
Ramifications Loom Over Key Teams
The enhanced level of Hendrick Motorsports post-Indianapolis car scrutiny has left teams such as Joe Gibbs Racing, RFK Racing, and their drivers—including Chris Buescher, Chase Briscoe, Kyle Larson, and Taylor Gray—uncertain regarding their final race results and standings. Inspections carried out at the Concord facility have in the past led to dramatic point deductions and significant personnel suspensions, reminding all competitors of the importance of compliance.
With each incident, NASCAR underscores its commitment to a level playing field, yet the process consistently generates unease within the garage as teams await verdicts that could shift the balance of championship battles. As officials continue these detailed examinations, attention remains fixed on the outcomes and the continued impact on the 2024 NASCAR Cup and Xfinity seasons.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Did Tony Stewart drive for Hendrick Motorsports?
A. Tony Stewart, who has won the NASCAR Cup Series three times, participated in one NASCAR Xfinity Series race with Hendrick Motorsports. He drove the No.
