Ryan Blaney Hit With NASCAR Penalty Before Chase Opener at Darlington
Ryan Blaney's No. 12 Team Penske Ford failed NASCAR inspection twice at Darlington, handing the championship contender an early complication before the 2026 Chase opener.
Ryan Blaney, a strong contender for his second NASCAR Cup Series championship, faced an early setback at Darlington Raceway before the 2026 Chase. The No. 12 Team Penske Ford failed inspection twice on Saturday, prompting penalties that resulted in the team losing its pit-stall selection for Sunday’s Cook Out Southern 500 and ejecting the car chief for the remainder of the race weekend.
Despite the challenges, Blaney managed to pass inspection on his third attempt, avoiding additional on-track penalties. The loss of the pit-stall selection could be particularly significant at Darlington, a track known for its demanding pit-road conditions. Blaney, currently second in the standings with 2,075 points, enters the Chase as the second-seeded competitor.
With the new 10-race Chase format emphasizing cumulative points, minimizing mistakes from the start becomes crucial. While Saturday’s inspection issues don’t jeopardize Blaney’s championship position or his chances of winning the Southern 500, they introduce another obstacle before the green flag has even been waved.
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