RFK Racing and NY Racing Team will be without key personnel for Sunday’s FireKeepers Casino 400 after both teams failed pre-race inspection multiple times at Michigan International Speedway.
Chris Buescher’s No. 17 Ford and J.J. Yeley’s No. 44 Chevrolet each failed inspection twice before finally passing on the third attempt.
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The repeated issues have led to standard NASCAR penalties, including the ejection of both teams’ car chiefs for the remainder of the weekend.
Photo by Jeffrey Vest/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Car chiefs ejected after inspection failures
NASCAR completed pre-race inspections on Saturday, with most teams clearing the process without incident.
However, the No. 17 RFK Racing Ford and the No. 44 NY Racing Team Chevrolet both required three attempts before receiving approval.
Under NASCAR rules, two failed inspection attempts automatically trigger penalties. As a result, RFK Racing car chief Josh Sisco and NY Racing Team car chief Lee Leslie have both been ejected and can take no further part in the race weekend.
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The penalties arrive at an inconvenient time for both organizations. Buescher entered the weekend eighth in the Cup Series standings, while NY Racing Team is making only its third Cup Series appearance of the season.
Pit stall selection also affected
The penalties extend beyond the loss of personnel. Both teams have also forfeited their pit stall selection privileges for the FireKeepers Casino 400.
Instead, Buescher and Yeley will receive the final two available pit stalls after the rest of the field completes its selections. Pit stall positioning can play a significant role in race strategy, particularly during caution periods and pit cycles when track position becomes critical.
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Neither team received a pass-through penalty, but both came close to a much harsher sanction. NASCAR rules state that a third failed inspection attempt results in a pass-through penalty that must be served during the race.
Both organizations avoided that outcome by passing on their third attempt. Even so, they will head into Sunday’s FireKeepers Casino 400 without their car chiefs and with reduced flexibility on pit road.
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