Sunday’s pre-race inspection at Michigan International Speedway proved interesting for one of NASCAR’s top teams.
Team Penske’s No. 2 Miller Lite and No. 22 Shell Pennzoil Fords, driven by Brad Keselowski and Joey Logano, respectively, both failed pre-race inspection for Sunday’s Pure Michigan 400 after both cars were found to have splitters that were too thin.
Teams are allowed to sand down splitters before a race to clean debris off of the cars, but the two Penske cars were found to be just under the thickness compliant with NASCAR rules.
NASCAR officials confiscated both splitters, requiring teams to attach clean splitters to the Fords before sending them back through pre-race inspection. The illegal splitters will be sent to the NASCAR Research and Development Center for further review.
While both teams were required to replace the splitters, both Keselowski nor Logano were allowed to maintain their starting positions for today’s race. Logano will start in 10th, with Keselowski rolling off in 14th.
Any penalties for the teams will be announced following a review of the splitters at the R&D Center.
Aaron Bearden is a Frontstretch alumnus who’s come back home as the site’s Short Track Editor. When he isn’t working with our grassroots writers, he can be found talking about racing on his Morning Warmup newsletter, pestering his wife/dog or convincing himself the Indiana Pacers can win an NBA title.