Vice Chairman of Hendrick Motorsports Jeff Gordon has revealed the frustration and embarrassment relating to Alex Bowman’s disqualification from the Charlotte ROVAL race from inside the workforce.
The disqualification got here shortly after Bowman, driving the No. 48 automotive, achieved what initially gave the impression to be a triumphant day on the Bank of America ROVAL 400, a part of the 2024 NASCAR Cup Collection Playoffs. The race initially noticed Bowman declare a prime 20 end and victory within the second stage. Nonetheless, post-race inspections by NASCAR revealed that Bowman’s automotive was too mild, leading to his disqualification and demotion to thirty eighth place. This surprising consequence eliminated him from the semi-final playoff spherical, permitting Joey Logano to safe the ultimate spot as an alternative.
The day, which had seen notable success with Kyle Larson’s win for the workforce, rapidly soured amid the information of the disqualification. Hendrick Motorsports confirmed on Monday that they might not be interesting the disqualification.
Gordon has since commented on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, as quoted by Sports Illustrated:
James Gilbert/Getty Photos
“After we checked out all of the components, and also you noticed early on within the race the No. 48 launched up into the air and obtained into the wall.
“You simply have a look at this race usually and the quantity of contact – we needed to actually examine the automotive wholly, to see if there was harm or was there one thing that obtained dislodged from the automotive.
“NASCAR was nice all through the entire course of, you possibly can’t actually examine a lot of it on the racetrack, so we weren’t actually positive, however they took it to the [NASCAR R&D] Middle [on Monday] and checked out it completely and examined it and did not discover something.”
He added:
“It is simply a type of issues the place NASCAR has minimal pre-race and post-race weights and our groups, as a way to make the best-performing racecars each weekend for our drivers, we all know that we have got to remain as near these minimums as doable, and on this case, the No. 48 automotive, they simply lower it too shut and missed it, in order that’s on us.
“Fairly embarrassed by it, and fairly disappointing after what was wanting like a historic day, and probably the most thrilling days we have had.”
Lastly, Gordon concluded:
“There is a multitude of things that make it robust to swallow, however one of many keys is the efficiency of the No. 48 workforce, what Alex [Bowman] has performed, the workforce has had plenty of stress on them, they have been constructing that workforce up, constructing extra depth, getting comfy with each other, Alex being wholesome this yr.
“They go win at Chicago and get themselves within the Playoffs and carried out at a excessive degree all through the playoffs. So that you hate to take the momentum and alternative away. I do know they’re upset as nicely.”
“You may go achieve plenty of factors and get excessive up, and maintain the momentum going and win races, and takethat into subsequent season, and hopefully get subsequent yr began proper.”
