By Caleb Whisler, Staff Writer
Jimmie Johnson will be without his car chief, Jesse Saunders, for today’s Penzoil 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Lee Leslie, car chief for Ross Chastain, was also ejected for failing pre-race inspection three times.
The vehicles of Johnson and Chastain failed pre-race technical inspection three times. NASCAR has discretion to eject a crew member for the inspection infraction.
The issue with Johnson was a wheel alignment. Last weekend at Atlanta Motor Speedway, Martin Truex Jr.’s car chief was ejected for issues in pre-qualifying inspection.
“Last week, we saw other a team have this issue. It’s going to happen with these new rules and the limits that we have. It has. We will deal with it the best we can,” Johnson stated minutes after finding out about the issues.
The teams of Johnson and Chastain were able to pass technical inspection on the fourth time. Both driver’s will drop the rear of the field before the green flag falls.