Richard Childress Racing (RCR) is set to appeal the post-race disqualification of the No. 2 Whelen Engineering Chevrolet, driven by Jesse Love, from Saturday’s NASCAR Xfinity Series event at Rockingham Speedway.
The organization confirmed its intent to appeal with a post on social media platforms Monday, which reads: “Richard Childress Racing will appeal NASCAR’s decision to disqualify the No. 2 team’s win from the NASCAR Xfinity Series race at Rockingham Speedway.”
Richard Childress Racing will appeal NASCAR’s decision to disqualify the No. 2 team’s win from the NASCAR Xfinity Series race at Rockingham Speedway. pic.twitter.com/HyUp9YtqqW
— RCR (@RCRracing) April 21, 2025
When the checkered flag was displayed in Saturday’s North Carolina Education Lottery 250 at Rockingham, Jesse Love and the No. 2 Chevrolet team were given the checkered flag.
However, following the standard post-race inspection process, NASCAR determined that Love was in violation of Sections 14.14.2.I-5.H of the NASCAR Xfinity Series Rule Book, which states that all mating surfaces between the truck trailing arm and the U-bolt saddle must be in complete contact with each other.
Love was stripped of his third NASCAR Xfinity Series victory, and first at a non-superspeedway, and demoted to a 37th-place finish (Justin Bonsignore also failed inspection and was demoted to 38th).
Sammy Smith, who crossed the line in second place when the checkered flag was displayed, was then awarded the victory in the North Carolina Education Lottery 250, his third win in the Xfinity Series.
The appeal on whether or not this penalty should be overturned will likely be heard this week, prior to the NASCAR Xfinity Series’ next event at Talladega Superspeedway.
