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Darlington Today
By the People, for the People
3 NASCAR Drivers Face Penalties for Pre-Race Inspection Failures
Chase Elliott, Chris Buescher, and Timmy Hill's teams all failed pre-race inspection twice at Darlington's Goodyear 400
Apr. 13, 2026 at 3:59am
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A cubist interpretation of the pre-race inspection failures that disrupted the 2026 Goodyear 400 at Darlington Raceway.Darlington TodayThree NASCAR drivers - Chase Elliott, Chris Buescher, and Timmy Hill - have been penalized after their teams failed pre-race inspection twice ahead of the 2026 Goodyear 400 at Darlington Raceway. The violations resulted in the ejection of the car chiefs and a loss of pit selection for the upcoming race weekend.
Why it matters
This incident highlights the importance of strict vehicle compliance in NASCAR and the potential consequences teams face for failing to meet the sport's rigorous inspection standards. It raises questions about how teams may push the boundaries of the rules and the need for consistent enforcement to maintain the integrity of the competition.
The details
The No. 9 UniFirst Chevrolet driven by Chase Elliott, the No. 17 car of Chris Buescher, and the No. 66 entry of Timmy Hill all failed the pre-race inspection process twice. As a result, the respective car chiefs - Matt Barndt, Josh Sisco, and Dylan Roberts - were ejected from the event. Additionally, the teams will lose their pit selection for the upcoming race weekend.
- The pre-race inspection failures occurred ahead of the 2026 Goodyear 400 at Darlington Raceway on April 13, 2026.
The players
Chase Elliott
A NASCAR Cup Series driver who competes full-time for Hendrick Motorsports.
Chris Buescher
A NASCAR Cup Series driver who competes full-time for Roush Fenway Keselowski Racing.
Timmy Hill
A NASCAR Cup Series driver who competes part-time for MBM Motorsports.
Matt Barndt
The car chief for Chase Elliott's No. 9 UniFirst Chevrolet team.
Josh Sisco
The car chief for Chris Buescher's No. 17 team.
Dylan Roberts
The car chief for Timmy Hill's No. 66 team.
What they’re saying
“The inspection process is critical to maintaining a level playing field in NASCAR. Teams that fail to meet the standards face serious consequences, as we've seen with these penalties.”
— Steve O'Donnell, NASCAR Executive Vice President and Chief Racing Development Officer
What’s next
The teams will have to address the issues that led to the inspection failures and work to ensure their cars meet the required standards for the upcoming race weekend.
The takeaway
This incident underscores the importance of strict vehicle compliance in NASCAR and the need for teams to maintain a high level of attention to detail. The penalties imposed on these drivers serve as a reminder that the sport's governing body is committed to enforcing the rules and preserving the integrity of the competition.
