Larry McReynolds breaks down Joey Logano's controversial glove penalty
Before the Ambetter Health 400, Joey Logano received a controversial penalty due to his glove not meeting safety requirements. The glove in question was used in qualifying but may have not been the glove Logano planned to use in the NASCAR race today.
Regardless, Joey Logano did use the glove. NASCAR took a look at it Sunday morning and found that there was an alteration made to the glove. Due to the alteration, it did not meet SFI requirements and was a safety violation.
According to NASCAR, the glove was webbed between the index and thumb. It seems that Logano used the glove to block more air in his window than he normally would be able to.
Here is Larry McReynolds explaining the penalty and consequences on FOX RaceDay.
For the violation, Joey Logano is going to start at the rear and serve a pass-through penalty. It is going to be a rough start to the Ambetter Health 400, the only win for Logano in the 2023 season.
NASCAR could also hit Logano and Team Penske with further penalties. If there are points or monetary fines, then we will learn that information in the coming days.
Joey Logano penalized ahead of Ambetter Health 400
In qualifying, for the second week in a row, it was Joey Logano and Michael McDowell on top of the boards. This week the two swapped positions, with McDowell earning his first-ever pole award in the Cup Series.
Instead of starting P2 among the other fast Ford Mustang Dark Horses, Logano is going to the rear. Then he has to slowly come down pit road as his competitors fly by on green flag laps. It’s essentially a day-ender.
Short of a couple of quick cautions and another break or two, Logano is going to be multiple laps down and struggling all afternoon. It isn’t impossible, but his chances of getting back on the lead lap are slim.
This is a controversial penalty for sure. However, NASCAR takes a hardline on safety equipment and alterations are not going to fly. If it doesn’t meet SFI standards, then it isn’t going to be allowed. Joey Logano learned that the hard way today.