Hendrick Motorsports Won't Appeal Alex Bowman's NASCAR Cup Disqualification
Hendrick Motorsports said Monday it wouldn’t appeal NASCAR’s disqualification of Alex Bowman from Sunday's Bank of America ROVAL 400 at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
Bowman was disqualified from the event after NASCAR discovered his Chevrolet was too light. The disqualification bumps Bowman from the Round of 8 in the NASCAR Cup Series playoffs and admits Joey Logano.
“NASCAR allows a clear margin to account for the difference in pre- and post-race weight,” the organization said in a prepared statement. “After a thorough review by our team and the sanctioning body, we simply did not give ourselves enough margin to meet the post-race requirement. Although unintentional, the infraction was avoidable. We are extremely disappointed to lose a playoff spot under these circumstances and apologize to our fans and partners.”
Bowman, who finished 18th, was disqualified Sunday night within three hours after the race’s conclusion. NASCAR Cup Series managing director Brad Moran said they were in post-race inspection when they discovered Bowman’s Chevrolet didn’t meet the total minimum weight requirement.
The car was put to the side until post-race inspection was completed on the other vehicles. Once the inspection of the other cars was completed, Moran said they allowed the No. 48 crew to fuel the car, purge the water system and then add water. The car was put through the inspection process, but it was still light.
Moran said they were allowed a 0.5% weight break for usage of fluids, which was about 17 pounds. The car was backed off the scales, then put back on them and Moran said the weight didn’t change.
Bowman’s car was then taken to NASCAR’s R&D facility in Concord, N.C.