NASCAR Cup: Pre-Race Penalties Reshape Kansas Grid
KANSAS CITY, KS - october 22, 2023 – Two NASCAR Cup Series teams faced pre-race inspection failures at Kansas Speedway, resulting in penalties that altered the starting lineup for Sunday’s playoff race. Rick Ware Racing’s No. 51 Ford, driven by Cody Ware, failed inspection twice before passing on its third attempt, leading to the ejection of car chief Dave Jones and a forfeiture of the team’s pit-stall selection. Additionally, Ryan Blaney in the No. 12 Team Penske Ford did not post a qualifying time.
These penalties come as the Cup Series enters a critical stage of the playoffs, where every position on the track can significantly impact a driver’s championship hopes. The inspection process ensures fair competition and adherence to NASCAR’s rulebook, but failures can disrupt team strategies and potentially hinder performance.The loss of a pit-stall selection is a notable disadvantage, impacting the team’s ability to efficiently service the car during the race.
Chase Briscoe will start on pole after achieving a series-best seventh Busch Light Pole Award. He recorded a lap of 29.987 seconds at a speed exceeding 180 mph on the 1.5-mile speedway.
NASCAR Cup Series Playoff Race Lineup at Kansas:
- Chase briscoe, No. 19 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota (29.987 seconds)
- Denny Hamlin,No. 11 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota (30.088)
- Kyle Larson, No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet (30.101)
- Chase Elliott, No. 9 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet (30.157)
- Christopher Bell, No. 20 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota (30.165)
- Carson hocevar, No. 77 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet (30.228)
- Bubba Wallace,No. 23 23XI Racing Toyota (30.274)
- Ty Gibbs, No. 54 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota (30.289)
- Ross Chastain, No. 1 trackhouse Racing Chevrolet (30.292)
- Erik Jones, No. 43 Legacy Motor Club Toyota (30.314)
- William Byron, No. 24 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet (30.326)
- Tyler Reddick,No. 45 23XI Racing Toyota (30.328)
- Josh Berry, No. 21 Wood Brothers Racing Ford (30.335)
- Noah Gragson, No. 4 Front Row motorsports ford (30.390)
- Chris Buescher, No. 17 Roush fenway Keselowski Racing Ford (30.391)
- Austin Dillon, No. 3 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet (30.419)
- Alex Bowman, No. 48 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet (30.422)
- Ricky Stenhouse Jr., No. 47 HYAK Motorsports Chevrolet (30.434)
- Ryan Preece, No. 60 RFK Racing Ford (30.438)
- AJ Allmendinger, No. 16 Kaulig Racing Chevrolet (30.452)
- Michael McDowell, No. 71 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet (30.491)
- Justin Haley, No. 7 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet (30.498)
- Todd Gilliland,No.34 Front Row Motorsports Ford (30.504)
- Shane van Gisbergen, No. 88 trackhouse Racing Chevrolet (30.528)
- John Hunter Nemechek, No. 42 Legacy Motor Club Toyota (30.566)
- Austin Cindric, no.2 Team Penske Ford (30.589)
- Cole Custer, No. 41 Haas Factory Team Ford (30.59
