Encumbered: Logano Loses Playoff Guarantee

Encumbered: Logano Loses Playoff Guarantee

On Thursday, NASCAR announced that Joey Logano's victory in the Toyota Owners 400 at Richmond International Raceway is encumbered and will not count for a playoff guarantee.

May 4, 2017 by Dan Beaver
Encumbered: Logano Loses Playoff Guarantee
In one its stiffest penalties ever for a driver's car failing an inspection, NASCAR has announced that Joey Logano's Toyota Owners 400 victory at Richmond International Raceway on Sunday is officially encumbered. Earlier this week, the rear suspension in Logano's car was found to be in violation of the rule book in a follow-up inspection.

Logano's win still counts in the record books as the 18th of his career, but it will not count as an automatic berth into NASCAR's playoffs. If he does make the playoffs, he will not receive the five bonus points that are awarded for each regular-season win. 

Logano had to come from the last row after changing a transmission on his way to his first win of the season.

This is the first time since NASCAR created the policy of encumbered finishes last year that a Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series driver has been hit with the penalty.

The penalty also includes a monetary fine of $50,000 and two-race suspension for crew chief Todd Gordon as well as the loss of 25 driver and owner points.

Penske Racing will not appeal.