Truex Unable to Qualify Due to Three Failed Inspections, Kurt Busch Loses Car Chief After Failing Pre-Qualifying Inspection Twice

*Editor’s note: This post previously incorrectly referenced Ryan Bergenty as Kurt Busch’s car chief. Bergenty is not with the No. 1 team this season. Busch’s car chief this season is Nick Case.

On Saturday, the No. 1 Chip Ganassi Racing team and the No. 19 Joe Gibbs Racing team had a rough time getting through technical inspection before the qualifying session for Sunday’s Auto Club 400.

However, Truex’s team failed inspection three times, which means he will not be allowed to post a qualifying time on Saturday and will start Sunday’s race from the rear of the field.

The No. 19 car, which is driven by Truex, will also lose his car chief Blake Harris for the weekend. Truex’s car was able to pass inspection on it’s fourth attempt. As a result, he will get a chance to race on Sunday.

The No. 1 car, which is driven by Kurt Busch, failed inspection twice.

Bob Pockrass of Fox Sports posted a photo of the team working on the car after it’s second failed inspection attempt.

KuBusch car has failed twice and has had a crew member ejected. Team must get through third time to make a qualifying attempt. If pass third time, get to start where they qualified. About nine other cars still to go through a second time. #nascar @nascaronfox pic.twitter.com/3coHStdEvi

— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) February 29, 2020

As a result of failing inspection twice, the No. 1 team will be without their Car Chief Nick Case for the remainder of the weekend.

According to Pockrass, the issue on the first failure for both teams was with the body. On the second attempt for both teams  was a suspension issue.

Truex’s third failure was for a suspension/toe issue.

Luckily, the No. 1 car did pass on the third trip to inspection, so Busch will get to make a qualifying attempt and he will be able to start from his earned position in Sunday’s race.