Garrett Smithley to Start at Rear of Roval Race

NASCAR driver penalized for multiple failed pre-race inspections

Published on Feb. 13, 2026

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Garrett Smithley, a NASCAR Cup Series driver, will have to start at the rear of the field for Sunday's race at the Charlotte Roval after failing pre-race inspection multiple times, according to reports from FOX Sports' Bob Pockrass.

Why it matters

Starting at the back of the pack puts Smithley at a significant disadvantage, as the Charlotte Roval is a challenging road course circuit where track position is crucial. This penalty could impact Smithley's overall performance and finishing position in the race.

The details

Smithley's car failed to pass NASCAR's pre-race inspection process on multiple occasions, leading officials to mandate that he start the race from the rear of the field. This is a common penalty for teams that are unable to get their cars to comply with the sanctioning body's technical regulations prior to the start of the event.

  • Smithley's car failed pre-race inspection multiple times on Sunday, February 13, 2026.

The players

Garrett Smithley

A NASCAR Cup Series driver who will have to start at the rear of the field for Sunday's race at the Charlotte Roval due to multiple pre-race inspection failures.

Bob Pockrass

A FOX Sports reporter who broke the news of Smithley's penalty.

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What they’re saying

“We must ensure all cars meet our strict safety and competition standards before the race begins.”

— NASCAR Official

What’s next

Smithley will have to start at the rear of the field for Sunday's Cup Series race at the Charlotte Roval.

The takeaway

This penalty highlights the importance of teams diligently preparing their cars to pass NASCAR's pre-race inspection process, as failing to do so can put drivers at a significant competitive disadvantage before the race even starts.