Ryan Blaney, the NASCAR Cup Series driver behind the wheel of the No. 12 entry, arrived at Darlington Raceway for the season’s opening playoff round, The Chase, where 16 drivers will battle for the championship.
Two separate inspection failures by his team triggered a penalty under NASCAR rules, resulting in the forced removal of one crew member and the revocation of the team’s pit selection rights for the race.
Penalty and Procedural Impact
The penalty forces the No. 12 crew to forfeit the ability to choose their pit stall, a strategic disadvantage that could shape the outcome of the 1.366‑mile oval showdown.
A lightning storm that moved through the Darlington area halted on‑track activity for a period, but officials confirmed the venue remained open and the race is slated to resume as planned, keeping Blaney’s pursuit of a strong start alive.