NASCAR rescinds disqualification of Ryan Blaney

Blaney’s outstanding performance at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway was marred when the No. 12 Team Penske Ford failed post-race inspection, resulting in his disqualification. Despite finishing sixth and earning eight stage points, he violated the NASCAR Rule Book’s section 14.11.3.5, which specifies the minimum extended damper lengths for shocks.

Following the disqualification, Blaney found himself 56 points below the cut-line in the playoffs. However, the recent reinstatement of his original finish has brought him back into contention, trailing by a mere 17 points. This puts him ahead of Chris Buescher, securing seventh place among the eight remaining title contenders.

Addressing the issue, NASCAR explained that upon further inspection, they realized an error in the damper template used during the race weekend at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. After conducting a thorough investigation, NASCAR rescinded the No. 12 disqualification penalty, restoring Blaney’s stage and race finishing positions and taking internal measures to prevent similar issues in the future.

Kyle Larson’s victory at the race secured his place in the Championship 4, narrowly edging out Christopher Bell by 0.082 seconds at the finish line. Meanwhile, William Byron remains nine points above the elimination zone, followed closely by Martin Truex Jr. and Denny Hamlin, both with a mere two-point lead. Christopher Bell trails by two points, Tyler Reddick by 16, Blaney by 17, and Buescher by 23.

In response to the news, Team Penske expressed their satisfaction with NASCAR’s decision to rescind the post-race disqualification. They commended NASCAR’s integrity throughout the process and expressed pride in the No. 12 team’s performance during the 2023 season. They eagerly anticipate continuing their pursuit of the NASCAR Cup Series championship.