Two drivers, who are on opposite ends of the starting grid for Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series eero 400 at Chicagoland Speedway, saw their racecars encounter issues in pre-race inspection on Saturday afternoon.
Michael McDowell, slated to start 38th, and Kyle Larson, slated to start second, will have pre-race penalties assessed to them following multiple failures of pre-race inspection at Chicagoland.
McDowell’s No. 71 Spire Motorsports team faces the stiffest penalties, as McDowell’s No. 71 Chevrolet failed pre-race inspection three times on Saturday. As a result, McDowell’s car chief, Travis Young, has been ejected for the remainder of the weekend. Additionally, McDowell will start from the rear of the field and will be required to make a pass-thru penalty after taking the green flag on Sunday.
McDowell was unable to take his No. 71 Chevrolet onto the track for Saturday’s qualifying session as a result of the inspection woes. McDowell comes into this weekend’s race 21st in the NASCAR Cup Series championship standings, and sits 32 points below the Chase for the Championship cutline.
The driver can’t afford any more miscues if he hopes to advance to the Chase for the Championship.
Larson’s No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet failed pre-race inspection twice. Unlike McDowell, Larson will not be required to drop to the rear of the field prior to the green flag of the eero 400. However, Larson will be without his car chief, Jesse Saunders, who has been ejected for the remainder of the weekend.
Additionally, Larson has forfeited his pit selection for Sunday’s race.
Larson heads into this weekend’s race fifth in the championship standings, despite not collecting a race win since last season.
