In a tense start to the NASCAR Cup Series weekend at EchoPark Speedway, two teams faced penalties after failing pre-race inspection on Friday. Officials ruled that Austin Dillon’s No. 3 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet and B.J. McLeod’s No. 78 Chevrolet each failed inspection twice.
Under NASCAR rules, both teams lost their car chiefs for the rest of the event and forfeited pit stall selection. The inspection process checks body fit, setup, and other technical areas to ensure all cars meet the rule book before practice and qualifying begin.
With Atlanta’s high-banked 1.54-mile layout placing heavy emphasis on track position and pit strategy, the rulings immediately added pressure on both teams heading into the race weekend.
Austin Dillon’s Team Loses Car Chief After Second Inspection Failure
NASCAR confirmed that Austin Dillon’s team must continue the weekend without car chief Ryan Chism Overstreet after the second failure. Crew chief Richard Boswell remains in the pit box, but the loss of a key team member limits adjustments and oversight in the garage and on pit road.
Bob Pockrass of FOX Sports shared the development in a social media update.“Cup tech update: ADillon car failed twice and will lose car chief and pit selection. The rest of the field is good except McLeod’s car needs to go through on its second attempt.”
Later, Pockrass posted a follow-up confirming NASCAR’s final ruling and inspection status: “NASCAR confirms ADillon car chief ejected and will lose pit selection. McLeod’s car also failed twice, had the car chief ejected, and will pit selection. ADillon car passed on the third attempt; McLeod car will be inspected in the morning on its third attempt.”
The sanctioning body uses a stepped penalty system during inspection. A first failure brings a warning and another attempt. A second failure results in the ejection of the car chief and the loss of pit stall choice, which is normally determined by the qualifying order.
Atlanta’s current configuration, introduced in 2022, features steeper banking and tighter racing lanes. That layout underscores the importance of aerodynamics and clean air, making inspection compliance critical before cars ever reach the track.
B.J. McLeod’s Operation Faces a Similar Setback
B.J. McLeod’s No. 78 Live Fast Motorsports Chevrolet also failed inspection twice, triggering the same penalties. As an owner-driver who often competes with limited resources, McLeod now enters the weekend without his car chief and without control over pit selection.
Pit stall location plays a major role at drafting tracks like Atlanta. Teams prefer stalls near the pit exit or with open space ahead, which helps drivers enter and leave pit road faster and avoid traffic.
Rest of the Field Clears Inspection As Focus Shifts To Atlanta Race Weekend
Despite the two setbacks, NASCAR cleared the rest of the 38-car field through inspection. That allowed other teams to focus fully on preparing for qualifying and race trim.
The second points race of the 2026 Cup Series season follows the Daytona 500 victory by Tyler Reddick.
Weather forecasts call for mild conditions with a small chance of rain during qualifying. NASCAR will wave the green flag Sunday at 3 p.m. ET, signaling the start of on-track competition.
For Austin Dillon and McLeod, the weekend now begins with an early disadvantage. Both teams must work through the race without their car chiefs and adapt to less-favorable pit selections as they try to recover track position once the race starts.
Austin Dillon and B.J. McLeod Fail Pre-Inspection Twice, Car Chief Ryan Chism Out