NASCAR penalizes McDowell, Larson after Chicagoland inspections

NASCAR handed down pre-race inspection penalties Saturday at Chicagoland Speedway after the No. 71 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet of Michael McDowell and the No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet of Kyle Larson failed inspection multiple times ahead of Sunday’s eero 400. The garage penalties came during NASCAR’s first Cup Series weekend at the track since 2019 and altered both teams’ race-day plans before the green flag.

McDowell’s No. 71 failed pre-qualifying inspection three times, which kept him out of Saturday qualifying and cost the team pit-stall selection. McDowell was set to start 38th, had to begin from the rear of the field and was required to serve a pass-through penalty once the race went green. His car chief, Travis Young, was ejected for the rest of the weekend.

Larson’s No. 5 failed inspection twice before passing on the third try, and Hendrick Motorsports lost pit-stall selection for the weekend. Car chief Jesse Saunders was ejected as part of the penalty package. Larson still kept his second-place starting spot, while Denny Hamlin earned the pole.