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via Imago

via Imago

Parker Kligerman’s disqualification from his dramatic Truck Series win at Daytona sent shockwaves through the NASCAR community. After taking the checkered flag in what he called the “biggest win of my entire life,” post-race inspection ruled his truck too low and NASCAR handed the victory to Corey Heim. Henderson Motorsports wasted no time in appealing the decision. Moreover, fans quickly rallied behind Kligerman, arguing that he had been unfairly stripped of his moment of glory. Meanwhile, over in the Cup Series, Joe Gibbs Racing found itself in a similar predicament.

Only this time, the fan response was far less sympathetic. Chase Briscoe’s team was hit with a severe penalty, and despite their decision to appeal, fans didn’t rush to defend them. Instead, skepticism and criticism poured in, marking a stark contrast to the support shown for Kligerman.

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Joe Gibbs Racing’s solid start turns sour after post-race inspections

Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR) started the 2025 season on a high note, with Chase Briscoe claiming pole position at the Daytona 500—an impressive milestone for the team, marking their first pole at this prestigious event since Bobby Labonte in 1998. Despite the excitement surrounding his pole, Briscoe faced a challenging race, ultimately finishing in 4th position. However, the team’s optimistic beginning quickly took a turn with post-race inspections.

JGR found themselves embroiled in controversy as Chase Briscoe faced a significant penalty. Following the Daytona 500 post-race inspections, Briscoe’s team was punished with an L-2 level penalty for violation of Section 14.1 and Section 14.5.8, which deals with the spoiler. NASCAR in an official statement said, “The spoiler base was found to be modified on the No. 19 car. The spoiler base is a single-source part and cannot be modified.”

The penalty was severe, causing Briscoe to plummet from 4th to 45th in the points standings, with a staggering -67 points. The team was also fined $100,000 and deducted 100 owner points. Plus, crew chief James Small was suspended for four races. This incident marked a rough start for JGR. Now, even if Briscoe wins every stage, the race, and the fastest lap point at Atlanta, he will still enter the Circuit of The Americas in the following week at -5 points!

 

JGR quickly announced its intention to appeal the penalty. Joe Gibbs Racing said, “The issue in question was caused in the assembly process when bolts used to attach the spoiler base to the deck lid caused the pre-drilled holes to wear due to supplied part interferences.” The team officials are hoping to restore Briscoe’s points and competitive standing. However, the appeal process adds a layer of uncertainty to their season, as Chase Briscoe now faces an uphill battle to recover from this setback.

As the appeal process unfolds, it will be closely scrutinized by fans and analysts alike. Many are eager to see whether JGR can successfully contest the penalty and restore Briscoe’s points. The team’s fate hinges on the arguments presented during the appeal, as well as NASCAR’s interpretation of the rules in this specific instance. However, one thing’s for sure. The NASCAR fan community isn’t holding back, and they let their opinions be known on X.

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Fan firestorm erupts over controversial Briscoe appeal decision

The fan response to Joe Gibbs Racing’s appeal of Chase Briscoe‘s penalty has been nothing short of intense and skeptical. Many fans took to X and Reddit to voice their frustrations, questioning the validity of JGR’s claims. One user sarcastically remarked, “So the JGR employee rammed the bolts into the carbon fiber pre-drilled holes and made them bigger, and it isn’t JGR’s fault?” This sentiment echoes a broader distrust among fans who believe that teams should be held accountable for their actions, regardless of the circumstances of the penalty.

Others have expressed their disbelief at the situation. One fan quipped, “I guess this means I have more points than Chase Briscoe.” Such comments, with a sarcastic undertone, highlight the heightened scrutiny teams face as well as the absurd results of them. And just to add to that fan’s point, you will still have more points than Chase Briscoe after the race in Atlanta!

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Another user bluntly stated, “So they tried cheating like everyone else but got caught?” This reflects a common frustration among fans regarding perceived unfairness in the sport, as they expect all teams to adhere strictly to the rules. The skepticism surrounding JGR’s appeal is palpable, with many fans feeling disillusioned by the explanation provided. Comments like “Not a chance they win that appeal” and “Lame excuse which is not even close to realistic” reveal a prevailing sentiment that the appeal may not yield the desired outcome for Briscoe. This sentiment stems from the fact that if it was an issue during the assembly process, they should have brought it up with NASCAR then, and not tinkered with it.

As NASCAR fans continue to debate the situation, one question lingers. How will this controversy affect Briscoe’s season and JGR’s reputation in the eyes of the fans? Do you think the penalties levied on Chase Briscoe and JGR are harsh or fair? Let us know in the comments!

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