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NASCAR Ejects Crew Chiefs For Jimmie Johnson, Ross Chastain At Las Vegas Speedway

HOMESTEAD, FL - NOVEMBER 20: Jimmie Johnson, driver of the #48 Lowe's Chevrolet, celebrates after winning the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Ford EcoBoost 400 and the 2016 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Championship at Homestead-Miami Speedway on November 20, 2016 in Homestead, Florida. Johnson wins a record-tying 7th NASCAR title. (Photo by Robert Laberge/Getty Images)

NASCAR crew chiefs ejections las vegas news

Both teams failed pre-race inspection three times before the start of the Pennzoil 400 presented by Jiffy Lube. Jimmie Johnson (driver of the No. 48) and Ross Chastain (No. 15) started at the back of the 37-car field.

Per the new deterrence guidelines in the 2018 NASCAR Rule Book, a crew member of NASCAR’s choosing is removed following a third inspection failure. Competition officials ejected car chief Jesse Saunders from the No. 48 team roster and Lee Leslie from the No. 15 team’s at-track list.

Johnson has won four times at the 1.5-mile track in Las Vegas. He entered the Pennzoil 400 ranked 35th after crashes in the first two races of the season at Daytona and Atlanta.

HOMESTEAD, FL – NOVEMBER 20: Jimmie Johnson, driver of the #48 Lowe’s Chevrolet, celebrates after winning the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Ford EcoBoost 400 and the 2016 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Championship at Homestead-Miami Speedway on November 20, 2016 in Homestead, Florida. Johnson wins a record-tying 7th NASCAR title. (Photo by Robert Laberge/Getty Images)

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Pablo Mena

Writer and assistant editor for usports.org. NY Giants and Rangers fan. Film and TV enthusiast (especially Harry Potter and The Office) and lover of foreign languages and cultures.