NASCAR is performing a deeper inspection process after the Cup Series race at Darlington Raceway last weekend. Austin Cindric’s No. 2 car for Team Penske has been taken to the NASCAR R&D Center for further inspection after Darlington, the sport announced. Cindric finished in fifth place at Darlington for his best finish of the 2026 NASCAR season.
The Team Penske driver struggled at the start of the 2026 Cup Series season, but found speed a lot of speed at Darlington. NASCAR taking Cindric’s No. 2 car to the R&D Center doesn’t automatically mean something is wrong; however, it does heighten the risk of a potential penalty.
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In the NextGen car era, drivers and teams have received significant penalties when NASCAR takes a car to the R&D Center. There have been several occasions when they have lost over 100 points due to an infraction. Most cars are cleared after going to the R&D Center, but exceptions exist.
Cindric will likely be OK; however, NASCAR has blasted teams in the past for any wrongdoing.
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This article originally appeared on Motorsports Wire: NASCAR to further inspect Austin Cindric’s No. 2 car after Darlington
