Daniel Suarez hits playoffs setback with Talladega penalty

Per NASCAR, the No. 99 Trackhouse Racing Team Chevrolet made unapproved adjustments to the roof area following Saturday’s inspection period. Daniel Suarez and team have been issued an at-track penalty that puts them at the rear of the field for the start.

He will also have to serve a pass-through down pit road after the green flag. Additionally, car chief Eddie D’Hondt Jr. has been ejected from the track.

There will be no other penalties beyond those already assessed by the sanctioning body. Suarez had already qualified 31st, second-lowest of all playoff drivers. While regaining track position and even laps isn’t the hardest thing to do at a superspeedway, this puts Suarez in a tough position regarding his ability to score stage points. 

Without an early caution, Suarez will also likely go a lap down. He finished 13th at Kansas, which was a decent result, but he failed to score any stage points. Meanwhile, his non-playoff teammate Ross Chastain went on to win the race.

The Cup Series’ only Mexican driver clawed his way into the Round of 12 but now enters Talladega tenth in the standings, 14 points below the cut-line. Austin Cindric, who is behind him in the standings, starts on the front row. Four playoff drivers qualified inside the top-ten with only Christopher Bell, Alex Bowman, Chase Briscoe and Suarez starting outside of the top-20.