Christopher Bell and Cody Ware penalized for inspection failures at Richmond
4 sources • 2 min read • Latest: Aug 15, 2026, 3:13 AM
Last updated Aug 15, 2026
Christopher Bell and Cody Ware faced penalties after failing NASCAR inspections twice before the Richmond Cup weekend. NASCAR ejected Bell's car chief, Clay Chris Sherwood, from the event, and the No. 20 team lost its pit selection. Though Bell's starting position remains unchanged, losing pit selection could complicate his race strategy on the short track. Cody Ware's No. 51 team also received similar penalties, with car chief Dave Jones ejected and team losing pit selection. The penalties come as the NASCAR Cup Series regular season approaches its conclusion.
- •Bell's No. 20 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota failed inspection twice.
- •Both Bell and Ware lost pit selection for the Richmond race.
- •Clay Chris Sherwood and Dave Jones were ejected after inspection failures.
- •Bell's starting position is unaffected, but strategy may be challenged.
- •The regular season is nearing its conclusion.
- 2:25 PMYahoo Sports — NASCAR Cup Series Drivers Hit With Pre-Race Penalties Before Richmond Raceway Race
- 3:13 AMMotorsport.com — Two car chiefs ejected in Richmond after NASCAR Cup inspection issues
- 3:13 AMYahoo Sports — Two car chiefs ejected in Richmond after NASCAR Cup inspection issues
- 8:15 PMYahoo Sports — Christopher Bell Penalized After Failing NASCAR Inspection Twice at Richmond
"The NASCAR Cup Series weekend at Richmond Raceway took a difficult turn for Christopher Bell and Cody Ware after both teams failed technical inspection twice on Friday. The two cars eventually passed inspection on their third attempts, but the failures brought penalties before Saturday’s Cook Out 400.Bell’s No. 20 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota and Ware’s […] The post NASCAR Cup Series Drivers Hit With Pre-Race Penalties Before Richmond Raceway Race appeared first on HEAVY.
"Once again, a couple of NASCAR Cup Series teams had a little bit of trouble getting through pre-race inspection. At Richmond Raceway, it was the No. 20 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota of Christopher Bell and the No. 51 Rick Ware Racing Chevrolet of Cody Ware. Both cars failed twice, but passed on their third attempt. One more failure would have resulted in an end-of-line starting position and a drive ...Keep reading
"NASCAR issued two inspection penalties before the Richmond Cup weekend, with Christopher Bell and Cody Ware both failing inspection twice and losing their car chiefs.
Sources
External links- Yahoo SportsAug 15, 2026, 2:25 PMNASCAR Cup Series Drivers Hit With Pre-Race Penalties Before Richmond Raceway Race
The NASCAR Cup Series weekend at Richmond Raceway took a difficult turn for Christopher Bell and Cody Ware after both teams failed technical inspection twice on Friday. The two cars eventually passed inspection on their third attempts, but the failures brought penalties before Saturday’s Cook Out 400.Bell’s No. 20 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota and Ware’s […] The post NASCAR Cup Series Drivers Hit With Pre-Race Penalties Before Richmond Raceway Race appeared first on HEAVY.
- Motorsport.comAug 15, 2026, 3:13 AMTwo car chiefs ejected in Richmond after NASCAR Cup inspection issues
Once again, a couple of NASCAR Cup Series teams had a little bit of trouble getting through pre-race inspection. At Richmond Raceway, it was the No. 20 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota of Christopher Bell and the No. 51 Rick Ware Racing Chevrolet of Cody Ware. Both cars failed twice, but passed on their third attempt. One more failure would have resulted in an end-of-line starting position and a drive ...Keep reading
- Yahoo SportsAug 15, 2026, 3:13 AMTwo car chiefs ejected in Richmond after NASCAR Cup inspection issues
Both the No. 20 of Christopher Bell and the No. 51 of Cody Ware passed on the third attempt
- Yahoo SportsAug 14, 2026, 8:15 PMChristopher Bell Penalized After Failing NASCAR Inspection Twice at Richmond
NASCAR issued two inspection penalties before the Richmond Cup weekend, with Christopher Bell and Cody Ware both failing inspection twice and losing their car chiefs.
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