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Bowman finished Sunday's race at The Roval in
18th-place — high enough to eliminate Joey Logano of Team Penske
from the playoff field by four points.
But NASCAR said the No. 48 Chevrolet failed a post-race
inspection and disqualified Bowman for failing to meet minimum
weight requirements. It dropped him to 38th and Logano claimed
that spot in the playoff field.
Hendrick had the right to appeal but said in a statement it
would not.
“NASCAR allows a clear margin to account for the difference in
pre- and post-race weight. After a thorough review by our team
and the sanctioning body, we simply did not give ourselves
enough margin to meet the post-race requirement,” the team said
in a statement. "Although unintentional, the infraction was
avoidable. We are extremely disappointed to lose a playoff spot
under these circumstances and apologize to our fans and
partners.”
All playoff cars go through inspection after a race.
NASCAR said Hendrick was given multiple opportunities to fuel
the car, purge the water system, and add water in attempt to
make minimum weight. But when the car went back through the
weight station, the Chevy was still light.
The news was especially disappointing to Bowman sponsor Ally,
whose chief marketing officer Monday posted on social media that
Bowman had earned a spot in the playoffs. He was the highest
points getter in the first round of the playoffs.
“Woke up this morning — after hardly sleeping — not feeling any
better,” wrote Andrea Brimmer, adding she was “gutted” for
Bowman and the “team who have fought for every point this year
and deserve to be moving forward.”
The eight drivers who will now compete through the third round
of the playoffs are Hendrick drivers William Byron, Chase
Elliott and Kyle Larson, Team Penske drivers Logano and reigning
series champion Ryan Blaney, Joe Gibbs Racing drivers
Christopher Bell and Denny Hamlin, and Tyler Reddick of 23XI
Racing.
It was a particularly brutal disqualification for Hendrick
Motorsports, which celebrated Sunday night claiming half the
spots in the playoff field of eight. Now the team heads to this
Sunday's race at Las Vegas will only three of its cars still
eligible.
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