Sun Nov 10 20:10:00 UTC 2024: ## Logano’s Title Hopes Shaken as Penske Car Fails Inspection
**AVONDALE, Ariz. –** Joey Logano, a championship contender in the NASCAR Cup Series, faced a setback ahead of the season finale at Phoenix Raceway on Sunday. His Team Penske No. 22 Ford failed pre-qualifying inspection twice, resulting in penalties for the team.
The penalty includes the ejection of car chief Tommy Ellis and the loss of pit-stall selection for Sunday’s race. This could prove to be a disadvantage, especially in the crucial pit stops during the race.
Logano, a two-time Cup Series champion, qualified second for the race, but the inspection failures put a damper on his title hopes. The other three championship contenders – Ryan Blaney, William Byron, and Tyler Reddick – passed inspection on their first attempt.
Team Penske’s NASCAR competition director, Travis Geisler, stated that the failures were “kind of the normal process,” and that the loss of pit selection might not be a major disadvantage at Phoenix.
“I think it can be a challenge or it cannot be,” Geisler said. “It just depends on how all that works out, as far as who ends up around you.”
Despite the setbacks, Logano remains focused on his job. “There’s nothing I can do about it,” he said. “I’ve got to focus on my job. That’s out of my hands, what goes on with that stuff.”
Meanwhile, the No. 50 Chevrolet, driven by Jeb Burton, also failed pre-race inspection four times. Car chief Greg Kibler was ejected, the team lost pit-stall selection, and Burton will have to serve a stop-and-go penalty after the green flag.
The NASCAR Cup Series season finale takes place on Sunday at 3 p.m. ET, with all eyes on Logano and his quest for a third championship title.
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