NASCAR warns drivers consequences of failing post-race inspection

NASCAR had a stern warning to drivers and crew chiefs prior to Sunday’s Sprint Cup Series race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.

During the pre-race drivers meeting, NASCAR executive vice president Steve O’Donnell reminded teams of the consequences if any cars were to fail technical inspection following the Bad Boy Off Road 300.

“I want to make clear to everybody here that in NASCAR’s judgment any measures that are taken to circumvent what happens for postrace inspection we’re going to react,” O’Donnell said, via SiriusXM NASCAR Radio. “We know that’s subjective but ask all of you not to put it in our hands because we will react if we have to. I think everybody knows what that means.

“We want to concentrate on the race. We want to celebrate the winner for the second race of this Chase. We couldn’t be more clear and hope everybody agrees with that and hope everybody has a great race.”

O’Donnell’s remarks comes a week after the cars of playoff drivers Martin Truex Jr. and Jimmie Johnson failed laser inspection following the race at Chicagoland Speedway, the opening event of the Chase for the Sprint Cup playoffs. Truex won the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 400, while Johnson finished 12th after leading a race-high 118 laps.

NASCAR elected not to penalize Truex and Johnson. Instead, the sanctioning body announced a revised policy on Wednesday where teams would not face sanctions for minor infractions -- such as Truex and Johnson’s violations -- and provide greater tolerance when going through the Laser Inspection Station. However, if teams do exceed the threshold and fail inspection, they would now face significant penalties.