A major domino in the 2024 NASCAR Cup Series playoffs has fallen.
After an 18th-place finish was initially enough for Alex Bowman and the No. 48 team to advance to the penultimate round of the NASCAR playoffs, Bowman was disqualified in post-race inspection, with NASCAR citing weight as the issue that disqualified the car and relegating Bowman to a 38th-place finish.
Bowman’s disqualification means that Joey Logano, who finished eighth on Sunday and initially was knocked out of the playoffs, will be one of the eight drivers still eligible for the 2024 championship.
“Unfortunately, when we were running the N0. 48 through (inspection) it didn’t pass the minimum weight specs,” said NASCAR Cup Series Managing Director Brad Moran. “We pulled the car off to the side and allowed them to fuel it, which they already did. We give the teams every opportunity to try and meet minimum weight. Unfortunately, they did not meet the minimum weight. They are allowed a half a percent of a weight break, which is about 17 pounds, give or take. That’s what they are allowed, and it was more than that.”
It’s possible that the infraction inadvertently occurred early in Sunday’s race when hard contact with a curb in turn 17 of the Charlotte Roval course sent Bowman’s Camaro briefly airborne before tapping the outside wall. Bowman won Stage Two of the race and led five laps in the event.
The No. 48 team can attempt to appeal the disqualification later in the week.