When Kyle Larson claimed victory on the Charlotte Roval, all 4 Hendrick Motorsports drivers advanced to Round 8. This isn’t any longer true.
Alex Bowman, driver of the No. 48 HMS Chevrolet, was disqualified after failing a post-race inspection. According to NASCAR officials, the automotive didn’t meet minimum weight requirements.
NASCAR Cup Series managing director Brad Moran provided the next explanation regarding the disqualification:
“Unfortunately, once we passed the No. 48 automotive, it didn’t meet the minimum weight requirements. We pulled the automotive aside and allow them to refuel, which they already did. We allow them to refuel again We allow them to run the pumps to be certain all of the cargo beds were full. We are giving teams every opportunity to try to achieve the required minimum weight.
“We also have them hook up the water and run water through the system to make sure they are full of water. Then we scale again. We still haven't made the weight. We backed out and ran again to confirm the weights were accurate. And unfortunately they didn't make the minimum weight. They are allowed to reduce their weight by half a percent, or about 17 pounds (that's what they say). allowed again and it was more than that.”
Hendrick Motorsports' immediate response to the DQ: “We are working to understand the issue and will make a decision on Monday whether to file an appeal.”
Alex Bowman, Hendrick Motorsports, Ally Chevrolet Camaro
Photo: Matthew T. Thacker / NKP / Motorsport Images
Bowman finished 18th within the race and likewise won Stage 2, but that's all gone now. He was demoted to thirty eighth (last) place and stripped of all stage points.
This means Bowman is eliminated from the 2024 NASCAR Cup Series playoffs, bringing two-time Cup champion Joey Logano back into contention. Logano, driving the No. 22 Team Penske Ford, missed the finish line by just 4 points.
This also modified things within the owners' standings, because the No. 45 23XI Racing Toyota lost while Logano's No. 22 team advanced. Both teams attack, and Bowman and the No. 48 HMS Chevrolet don’t have any likelihood to play.
Updated Round 8 playoff standings after the shootout: Kyle Larson (+33 points) Christopher Bell (+13), Tyler Reddick (+10), William Byron (+4), Ryan Blaney (-4), Denny Hamlin ( -8), Chase Elliott (-9), Joey Logano (-11).
Bowman joins Austin Cindric, Daniel Suarez and Chase Briscoe as those eliminated within the round of 16.
