In a recent development at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, NASCAR officials penalized two Cup Series drivers following post-qualifying inspections. Christopher Bell, driving the No. 20 Toyota for Joe Gibbs Racing, was slated to start 13th. However, the team made changes to the car’s throttle body after qualifying, leading NASCAR to mandate that Bell start from the rear of the field.
Bell entered the Las Vegas race aiming to secure his fourth consecutive Cup Series victoryâa feat last accomplished by Jimmie Johnson in 2007. Despite the setback, Bell’s performance in the previous races, including wins at Atlanta, Circuit of the Americas, and Phoenix, underscores his competitive form this season.
In a separate incident, Ty Gibbs, also from Joe Gibbs Racing, faced penalties during the race. On Lap 216, after making contact with the Turn 2 wall, the right-front wheel of Gibbs’ No. 54 Toyota detached as he navigated Turns 3 and 4. This mishap resulted in a two-lap hold on pit road. Subsequently, NASCAR issued two-race suspensions to crew members Braxton Brannon (jackman) and Jackson Gibbs (front-tire changer) for the infraction.
These incidents highlight the critical importance of adherence to NASCAR’s technical regulations and the potential consequences teams face for violations. As the season progresses, teams will need to exercise heightened diligence to ensure compliance and maintain their competitive standings.
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