Team Penske Accepts Disqualification of No. 22 Ford Mustang at Talladega

In a dramatic turn of events at Talladega Superspeedway, Team Penske’s No. 22 Ford Mustang, driven by Joey Logano, was disqualified following a post-race inspection that revealed technical violations. Logano, who initially secured a fifth-place finish in the Jack Link’s 500, was relegated to 39th place—the last in the field—after NASCAR officials discovered unapproved modifications to the car’s rear spoiler.

The disqualification stemmed from the presence of “unapproved shims” and a loose bolt in the spoiler area, contravening NASCAR’s stringent technical regulations. These components are critical for maintaining aerodynamic balance and ensuring fair competition, especially on superspeedways where drafting and downforce play pivotal roles.

Team Penske will not appeal the Logano disqualification: https://t.co/66p6bZPzSR

— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) April 28, 2025

Team Penske promptly issued a statement acknowledging the infraction:

“The No. 22 Team Penske Ford Mustang was disqualified following post-race inspection at Talladega today,” the team stated. “One of the 18 bolts on the surface of the spoiler that connect to the base was found to be loose, and NASCAR … .” 

The disqualification not only impacted Logano’s standing but also had broader implications for the race results. Austin Cindric, also of Team Penske, was elevated to his first win of the season, while Kyle Larson moved up to second place. Additionally, NASCAR announced that Larson’s No. 5 car and Josh Berry’s No. 21 vehicle would undergo further inspection at the NASCAR Research & Development …  North Carolina.

This incident underscores NASCAR’s commitment to enforcing technical compliance and maintaining a level playing field. For Team Penske, it serves as a reminder of the meticulous attention to detail required in the high-stakes environment of NASCAR racing.

As the season progresses, teams will undoubtedly be vigilant in adhering to regulations to avoid similar setbacks that can significantly alter championship trajectories.