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While all cars passed inspection at the start of the Phoenix NASCAR Cup weekend, an issue has arisen involving the #38 Front Row Motorsports Ford, driven by Zane Smith.
The team “was observed making an unapproved adjustment to the underbody during practice/pre-qualifying adjustments,” a NASCAR statement released on Saturday evening read.
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As a result, the car was inspected once again, and failed. The Sanctioning Body has ejected car chief Will Norris for the remainder of the weekend, and the team is facing further penalties.
Smith qualified 24th, but he will now have to start from the rear of the field. He will also have to perform a pass-through penalty after taking the green flag, which is likely to put the #38 car a lap down.
It’s an unfortunate setback for the ‘Aaron’s Dream Machine,’ as Smith entered this race 14th in the championship standings.
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Smith started the year with back-to-back top ten finishes, placing sixth in the Daytona 500 and seventh at Atlanta. He could have done it again at COTA, but was involved in an incident on the final restart and finished 33rd. Smith finished ninth in this race at Phoenix, one year ago.
Photos from Phoenix – Qualifying
Bubba Wallace, 23XI Racing
Bubba Wallace, 23XI Racing
Meg Oliphant / Getty Images
Ryan Blaney, Team Penske
Ryan Blaney, Team Penske
Meg Oliphant / Getty Images
Ryan Blaney, Team Penske
Ryan Blaney, Team Penske
Sean Gardner / Getty Images
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Kyle Larson, Hendrick Motorsports
Kyle Larson, Hendrick Motorsports
Meg Oliphant / Getty Images
Kyle Larson, Hendrick Motorsports
Kyle Larson, Hendrick Motorsports
Meg Oliphant / Getty Images
Bubba Wallace, 23XI Racing
Bubba Wallace, 23XI Racing
Sean Gardner / Getty Images
Chase Elliott, Hendrick Motorsports
Chase Elliott, Hendrick Motorsports
Meg Oliphant / Getty Images
Denny Hamlin, Joe Gibbs Racing
Denny Hamlin, Joe Gibbs Racing
Meg Oliphant / Getty Images
Bubba Wallace, 23XI Racing
Bubba Wallace, 23XI Racing
Sean Gardner / Getty Images
Connor Zilisch, Trackhouse Racing
Connor Zilisch, Trackhouse Racing
Sean Gardner / Getty Images
Cody Ware, Rick Ware Racing
Cody Ware, Rick Ware Racing
Meg Oliphant / Getty Images
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Kyle Larson, Hendrick Motorsports
Kyle Larson, Hendrick Motorsports
Meg Oliphant / Getty Images
Brad Keselowski, RFK Racing
Brad Keselowski, RFK Racing
Sean Gardner / Getty Images
Austin Cindric, Team Penske
Austin Cindric, Team Penske
Sean Gardner / Getty Images
Chris Buescher, RFK Racing
Chris Buescher, RFK Racing
Meg Oliphant / Getty Images
GettyImages-2264721563
GettyImages-2264721563
Ty Gibbs, Joe Gibbs Racing
Ty Gibbs, Joe Gibbs Racing
Meg Oliphant / Getty Images
AJ Allmendinger, Kaulig Racing
AJ Allmendinger, Kaulig Racing
Meg Oliphant / Getty Images
Chase Elliott, Hendrick Motorsports
Chase Elliott, Hendrick Motorsports
Sean Gardner / Getty Images
Michael McDowell, Spire Motorsports
Michael McDowell, Spire Motorsports
Meg Oliphant / Getty Images
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Ryan Blaney, Team Penske
Ryan Blaney, Team Penske
Sean Gardner / Getty Images
Tyler Reddick, 23XI Racing
Tyler Reddick, 23XI Racing
Meg Oliphant / Getty Images
Chase Briscoe, Joe Gibbs Racing
Chase Briscoe, Joe Gibbs Racing
Sean Gardner / Getty Images
Shane van Gisbergen, Trackhouse Racing
Shane van Gisbergen, Trackhouse Racing
Meg Oliphant / Getty Images
Erik Jones, Legacy Motor Club
Erik Jones, Legacy Motor Club
Meg Oliphant / Getty Images
William Byron, Hendrick Motorsports
William Byron, Hendrick Motorsports
Sean Gardner / Getty Images
Chase Elliott, Hendrick Motorsports
Chase Elliott, Hendrick Motorsports
Meg Oliphant / Getty Images
Joey Logano, Team Penske
Joey Logano, Team Penske
Sean Gardner / Getty Images
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William Byron, Hendrick Motorsports
William Byron, Hendrick Motorsports
Meg Oliphant / Getty Images
Connor Zilisch, Trackhouse Racing
Connor Zilisch, Trackhouse Racing
Sean Gardner / Getty Images
Denny Hamlin, Joe Gibbs Racing
Denny Hamlin, Joe Gibbs Racing
Sean Gardner / Getty Images
Zane Smith, No. 38 Front Row Motorsports Ford
Zane Smith, No. 38 Front Row Motorsports Ford
Meg Oliphant / Getty Images
Chase Briscoe, Joe Gibbs Racing
Chase Briscoe, Joe Gibbs Racing
Sean Gardner / Getty Images
AJ Allmendinger, Kaulig Racing
AJ Allmendinger, Kaulig Racing
Meg Oliphant / Getty Images
Kyle Busch, Richard Childress Racing
Kyle Busch, Richard Childress Racing
Sean Gardner / Getty Images
Denny Hamlin, Joe Gibbs Racing
Denny Hamlin, Joe Gibbs Racing
Sean Gardner / Getty Images
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Joey Logano, Team Penske
Joey Logano, Team Penske
Sean Gardner / Getty Images
Read Also:
NASCAR Cup Phoenix practice and qualifying suggests promising race
2026 NASCAR Cup at Phoenix full starting lineup: Joey Logano on pole
Complete NASCAR Cup points standings after COTA 2026
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