The NASCAR Cup Series field is officially set for Sunday’s Iowa Corn 350 Powered by Ethanol, but two teams will head into race day with an added obstacle after failing pre-race inspection twice.
NASCAR announced Saturday evening that the No. 34 Front Row Motorsports Ford driven by David Gilliland and the No. 60 RFK Racing Ford driven by Ryan Preece each failed inspection twice before Sunday’s race at Iowa Speedway.
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As a result, both teams lost their pit selection for the event, and NASCAR ejected each team’s car chief.
David Gilliland and Ryan Preece penalized before Sunday’s race
For the No. 34 team, car chief Joe Marra was ejected after the second inspection failure.
Ryan Preece’s No. 60 team also failed inspection twice, resulting in car chief Jerry Cook being ejected.
Under NASCAR’s inspection procedures, teams that fail twice before a race lose their pit selection for that event while also losing their car chief for race day.
Neither penalty changes the drivers’ official starting positions.
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Pit road could become an even bigger challenge
The penalties are especially significant because Iowa Speedway places a premium on track position.
Pit stall selection can influence how quickly a driver enters and exits pit road during cautions, and teams typically spend considerable time choosing locations that minimize traffic and create cleaner exits.
Without that advantage, both Gilliland and Preece will have to work from assigned stalls rather than locations strategically selected after qualifying.
On a short track where passing becomes increasingly difficult once the field spreads out, every second gained or lost on pit road can affect the outcome of the race.
Sunday’s Iowa Corn 350 Powered by Ethanol is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. ET on USA Network.
