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Spoiler Violations Lead to DQ for Preece and Logano at Talladega
Summary
- Preece and Logano disqualified for rear spoiler violations.
- Preece relegated to 38th after initial second-place finish.
- Logano’s fifth-place finish changed to last due to loose bolt.
- RFK Racing and Team Penske accept NASCAR’s disqualification decisions.
- Both drivers receive significantly fewer championship points.
- NASCAR to inspect four additional cars for compliance issues.
On April 28, 2025, NASCAR made headlines with the disqualification of drivers Ryan Preece and Joey Logano. This decision stemmed from violations related to their rear spoilers after the Cup Series race at Talladega Superspeedway.
Preece, driving the No. 60 RFK Racing Ford, initially celebrated a second-place finish behind race winner Austin Cindric. However, post-race inspections revealed unapproved shims in his car’s rear spoiler, leading to a significant penalty and relegating him to 38th place in the final standings.
This incident underscores the importance of compliance in NASCAR. Meanwhile, Logano faced disappointment after finishing what he believed was a commendable fifth place.
NASCAR officials found a loose bolt among the 18 that secure the spoiler to Logano’s car. This violation breached established regulations regarding spoiler braces and the protocols for secure fasteners during events.
Ultimately, Logano’s car was moved to the last spot in the results, increasing frustrations for his Team Penske squad. In response to the disqualifications, both teams issued statements regarding their situations.
Team Penske explained that the loose bolt was not due to negligence but occurred during the race, accepting NASCAR’s decision without reservations. Similarly, RFK Racing acknowledged that Preece’s infraction resulted from an unintended adjustment made prior to the race to correct a spoiler angle issue.
The disqualifications left both drivers with significantly fewer championship points than anticipated. Preece ended with only one point instead of the 40 he could have earned, while Logano finished with one point instead of 41.
This setback was particularly concerning for RFK Racing, which faced additional troubles during the Talladega race. Drivers Chris Buescher and Brad Keselowski experienced early crashes, finishing 34th and 36th, respectively, while Logano’s teammate Ryan Blaney struggled as well, ending the race in 37th place.
In light of these incidents, NASCAR announced further inspections on four additional cars at the Research & Development Center. Among those subject to additional scrutiny are Kyle Larson’s No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet, Josh Berry’s No. 21 Wood Brothers Racing Ford, Ty Dillon’s No. 10 Kaulig Racing Chevrolet, and Bubba Wallace’s No. 23 23XI Racing Toyota.
These measures reflect NASCAR’s commitment to technical compliance and emphasize the importance of meticulous post-race inspections. The events at Talladega highlight the rigorous nature of NASCAR regulations and the consequences teams face for violations.
Such increased focus on compliance enhances not only the integrity of races but also the overall excitement and fairness within the sport. As teams prepare for upcoming races, the lessons learned at Talladega will likely resonate in their preparations.
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John Martinez delivers real-time NASCAR Cup Series and Truck Series news, from live race updates to pit-lane strategy analysis. A graduate of the University of Northwestern Ohio’s Motorsports Technology program, he breaks down rule changes, driver tactics, and championship points with crystal-clear reporting.
