The No. 48 Big Machine Racing team encountered an L1-level penalty following a pre-race inspection at Michigan International Speedway last weekend. Parker Kligerman’s Chevrolet was found to be in violation of Section 14.4.10. A of the NASCAR Rule Book, which pertains to modifications made to the rear spoiler. Under Section 10.5.2.2. A&B of the Rule Book, L1-level penalties can arise from issues such as team-sourced parts failing to meet NASCAR standards, not achieving the minimum post-race weight, or not obtaining approval for parts.
Consequently, Kligerman and the No. 48 team faced a deduction of 20 driver and owner points, in addition to losing five NASCAR playoff points. Crew chief Patrick Donahue was also fined $25,000 for not ensuring the car complied with NASCAR regulations.
Prior to this penalty, the team enjoyed a 36-point lead above the Xfinity Series Playoffs elimination line, but that advantage has now shrunk to just 16 points. This creates a tense atmosphere for Friday evening’s race at Daytona International Speedway (7:30 ET, USA, NBC Sports App, MRN Radio, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio), with only five races left in the 2024 regular season.
In light of recent events, numerous fans who were cheering for the underdog team have rallied to express their support for Big Machine Racing, taking to X to voice their opinions. When the official NASCAR Xfinity page on X announced the news, it was clear that fans were not pleased with the decision, as reflected in the comments section.
Fans upset over Parker Kligerman’s team penalties
“RIP small playoff contending team,” lamented one fan who had been backing the team but felt let down by the loss of 5 playoff points. The additional 20-point penalty only compounded their frustration. With just two races remaining, there’s a real possibility that another driver could take the coveted spot from him.
Another fan expressed empathy for Parker Kligerman, stating, “Ouch. There was a legitimate contender too.” Despite being established only in 2023, the team has shown impressive performance throughout the season, and many fans are disheartened to see such a promising contender face penalties. One fan even questioned the rationale behind the penalty, simply asking, “For what?” It was a technical issue beyond the driver’s control, as it fell to the crew chief to ensure compliance with NASCAR’s standards.
The fan expressed their sarcasm regarding NASCAR’s approach to random inspections, questioning the logic behind a penalty that was handed out four days post-race. They remarked, “Isn’t it great how they ‘randomly’ select cars for inspection and then hit them with penalties days later?”
Another fan, who values adherence to the rules, wasn’t surprised by the situation. They believed that Parker Kligerman and his team rightfully faced consequences for breaching the established regulations.
What are your thoughts on NASCAR’s decision to impose these penalties? Feel free to share in the comments!
