During pre-qualifying inspection at EchoPark Speedway in Atlanta, most of the 40-car field passed without problems, but Hendrick Motorsports and Kyle Larson’s No. 5 Chevrolet encountered difficulties. Larson’s car failed inspection twice before finally passing on the third attempt, leading to penalties despite avoiding a pass-through penalty on the track. These infractions triggered consequences affecting the team’s race weekend.
Penalties Enforced on Larson’s Crew and Pit Position
As a result of the inspection failures, Larson’s car chief was removed from the event and will not be allowed at the track for the rest of the weekend. Additionally, the team lost its opportunity to select a preferred pit stall, meaning they will only have access to whichever stall remains after the rest of the field makes their choices. No further penalties were reported for the remaining teams during inspection.
Qualifying Adjusted Due to Weather Delays
Qualifying was shortened to a single round after weather conditions and a lightning delay pushed the session back by 30 minutes. Kyle Larson was scheduled to be the 36th driver on the track. Since the reconfiguration of the Atlanta track, Larson’s best qualifying performance has been a third-place start, although earlier this year he qualified 17th for the race at this venue.
Hendrick Motorsports Faces Additional Penalties From Recent Xfinity Race
Hendrick Motorsports was also sanctioned following last weekend’s NASCAR Xfinity race at Pocono, where an issue with Chase Elliott’s No. 17 Chevrolet was discovered. The team was fined $40,000, penalized with points deductions, and the crew chief faced a three-race suspension, adding to the pressure on Hendrick Motorsports this season.
Impact and Outlook for Kyle Larson’s Team
These inspection penalties underline the strict regulatory environment teams face during races, and the removal of Larson’s car chief severely hinders the team’s immediate management at Atlanta. Losing the pit stall choice affects race strategy, while prior penalties with the No. 17 car compound challenges for Hendrick Motorsports. As the weekend continues, the team must adapt quickly under scrutiny to maintain competitiveness.
