The Daytona 500 qualifying times of Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Denny Hamlin were disallowed by NASCAR following violations in technical inspection Sunday at Daytona International Speedway.
2015 Daytona 500: Dale Earnhardt Jr., Denny Hamlin cars fail inspection
Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Denny Hamlin had their qualifying times disallowed after rule violations were found on their respective cars.
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In post-qualifying inspection Earnhardt’s No. 88 Chevrolet was determined to be below the minimum height requirement on the left front of the car. Daytona is Earnhardt’s first race working with new crew chief Greg Ives.
“We were definitely not trying to do anything intentional here,” Ives said. “I don’t feel it was an advantage that got us to our 10th place position, but it is definitely something that can be frowned upon and not looked as being compliant to the rules and that is what we need to stick to.”
Hamlin’s Toyota was found to have exceeded the maximum split on the track bar. The split on the No. 11 car was 3.75 inches. The limit is 3.0 inches.
Hamlin had qualified third and Earnhardt 10th.
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Both drivers will have to start at the rear of the field in Thursday’s qualifying races. Earnhardt will line up 25th in his race. Hamlin will start 24th in his qualifier. Neither Earnhardt nor Hamlin is subject to additional penalties according to a NASCAR spokesperson.
“Failed post tech after qualifying,” Earnhardt wrote on Twitter. “1/8 low left front. That’s a shame. The boys will figure out why. Makes the duels a lot more interesting.”
“Ain’t nothing but a thang,” he added. “Starting last in the duels makes the challenge of winning steeper and also more enjoyable.”
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