Multiple NASCAR Cup Teams Fail Inspection at Darlington

Chase Elliott, Chris Buescher among drivers impacted by pre-race penalties

Mar. 21, 2026 at 7:35pm

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Several NASCAR Cup Series teams, including those of Chase Elliott and Chris Buescher, failed pre-race inspection multiple times at Darlington Raceway. As a result, their car chiefs were ejected and the teams lost their pit selection for the weekend, a significant setback at the challenging track.

Why it matters

Passing inspection is crucial at Darlington, where track position and pit strategy can make or break a race. The penalties will force these teams to overcome additional adversity, making it harder for them to contend for the win on one of NASCAR's toughest tracks.

The details

The No. 9 car of Chase Elliott, the No. 17 of Chris Buescher, and the No. 66 of Timmy Hill all failed inspection multiple times. This led to the ejection of their car chiefs and the loss of pit selection, removing key personnel from the pit box and adding strategic challenges for the teams.

  • The inspection issues occurred on Saturday afternoon, just hours before the race at Darlington Raceway.

The players

Chase Elliott

A top contender in the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series season, currently sitting fifth in the standings despite not leading many laps.

Chris Buescher

A NASCAR Cup Series driver competing for a mid-pack team.

Timmy Hill

A NASCAR Cup Series driver competing for a smaller, independent team.

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What they’re saying

“Even last weekend in Las Vegas, Elliott wasn't a major factor for much of the race before surging late to finish second behind Denny Hamlin. It's those kinds of performances, the quiet top-10s and opportunistic pushes, that keep him firmly in the championship conversation.”

— Kevin Harvick

What’s next

The teams will need to overcome the pre-race penalties and find a way to contend for a strong finish at the challenging Darlington Raceway.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the importance of passing pre-race inspection and the significant impact it can have on a team's performance, especially at a track as demanding as Darlington. The penalties will test the resilience and adaptability of the affected teams and drivers as they look to overcome the early setbacks.