Both RCR Cup Entries Face L1 Penalties After Qualifying at Michigan

By Luis Torres, Staff Writer

The Richard Childress Racing duo of Austin Dillon and Daniel Hemric will start at the rear of the field for Sunday’s Consumers Energy 400 at Michigan International Speedway.

This occurred after NASCAR officials disallowed both drivers’ qualifying times after their Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 entries were found having unapproved alternators.

Consequently, it results an L1-level penalty and according to Bob Pockrass’ tweet about the matter, NASCAR stated the following penalties:

Both Dillon and Hemric will be deducted 10 drivers points, 10 owners points and crew chiefs Danny Stockman, Jr. (Dillon) and Luke Lambert (Hemric) will be fined $25,000. Nobody will face a suspension as a result of having improper functioning alternators.

From NASCAR’s rulebook, the two-car stable violated “Rule B” from the Alternator section 20.7.4, which states that a car must have a functional alternator, either with an internal or external voltage regulator, and an output wire being installed during competition.

Dillon, who was fastest in opening practice, initially ended up seventh in qualifying. Meanwhile Hemric, who was fifth fastest in practice, ended up 11th. Now they’re starting 37th and 38th respectively, already having to deal with a major hurdle before the 200-lap contest even commences.

The starting lineup, led by pole sitter Brad Keselowski, is official but a pre-race tech will take place hours before the race. Should a car fail inspection more than once, they’ll have to give up their starting position.

Coverage of the 400-mile race will start at 3:00 pm EST, airing live on NBSCN. Joey Logano is the most recent winner at the 2-mile circuit, winning back in early June.