Joey Logano was disqualified from the Jack Link’s 500 at Talladega Superspeedway after his No. 22 Team Penske Ford Mustang failed post-race inspection. Logano had initially crossed the finish line in fifth place but was later found in violation of Section 14.5.8.E, which concerns the spoiler braces specifically used during superspeedway races. Additionally, he breached Section 14.1.P of the NASCAR rulebook, under General Vehicle Assembly, which states that all fasteners must remain securely fastened at all times throughout an event.
Following the disqualification, Team Penske issued a statement acknowledging the penalty and confirming that they would not challenge NASCAR’s decision. In their statement, the team explained that one of the 18 bolts securing the spoiler to its base was discovered to be loose after the race. They emphasized that this issue was not deliberate but had developed over the course of the race weekend. As a result, Team Penske accepted the disqualification without further dispute.
Logano was not the only driver to face disqualification at Talladega. Ryan Preece, who had crossed the line in second place, was also stripped of his finish. NASCAR determined that Preece’s RFK Racing car had unapproved shims installed in the rear spoiler, resulting in his disqualification as well.
Despite the setbacks for Logano and Preece, Team Penske still had something to celebrate. Austin Cindric, Logano’s teammate, managed to capture the win, bringing a positive conclusion for the organization. Kyle Larson secured second place, while William Byron finished third, rounding out the top three.
The race at Talladega proved to be eventful, not just for the competition on the track, but also for the aftermath in the inspection bays. While disqualifications are rare, they underscore NASCAR’s commitment to strict rule enforcement, especially at high-speed superspeedway events where technical compliance is critical for both fairness and safety. Team Penske’s quick acceptance of the penalty also reflected the team’s professionalism in handling a disappointing situation.
As the series moves forward, both Logano and Preece will look to rebound from their setbacks, while Cindric will hope to build on his big win at one of NASCAR’s most unpredictable tracks.
