NASCAR Cup Series

Newman could face penalties after car too low in post-race inspection

Published Oct. 19, 2014 6:25 p.m. ET

Jared Turner

Ryan Newman enjoyed a terrific Sunday at Talladega Superspeedway, leading three times for a total of 10 laps and restarting on the inside of Row 1 on the second and final attempt at a green-white-checkered finish.

Newman went on to finish fifth -- still good enough to move on to the Eliminator Round of the Chase for the Sprint Cup.

After the race, however, NASCAR spokesman Kerry Tharp said that the rear end of Newman's No. 31 Chevrolet was too low on both sides in post-race inspection, opening up the possibility of a penalty early next week.

The car will head back to the NASCAR Research & Development Center in Concord, N.C., for further review. Tharp said an announcement of any penalties on the Richard Childress Racing driver and team would likely come on Monday or Tuesday.

A penalty on Newman, one of eight remaining title contenders with four races left, could theoretically affect his Chase standing and allow Kasey Kahne -- the first driver not to advance out of the Contender Round -- to transfer into the Eliminator Round.

Kahne finished 12th in Sunday's Geico 500, 27 points behind Newman.