Matt DiBenedetto, driver of the No. 38 NASCAR Ford Mustang Dark Horse in the Xfinity Series, was disqualified after last weekend’s Xfinity Series race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway on June 22nd, 2024. His race car was found to be in violation of the NASCAR Rule Book, and as a result, he lost his 17th-place finish and was dropped to the bottom of the standings, and has been officially credited with a 38th-place result.
The No. 38 Mustang, which is fielded by NASCAR Ford team RSS Racing, was disqualified due to three unsecured lug nuts found on the right-rear wheel after the race at New Hampshire. Officials deemed the race car to be in violation of of Sections 8.8.10.4 (Tires and Wheels) and 10.5.2.5 (Safety Penalties and Penalty Options) in the NASCAR Rule Book for the Xfinity Series, resulting in the disqualification.
It’s worth noting that one loose lug nut would have resulted a fine. Two loose lug nuts would have resulted in a mores significant fine as well as a suspension, but three loose lug nuts resulted in a disqualification.
Currently, DiBenedetto is ranked 28th in the Xfinity Series championship standings, having lost one position after being penalized last weekend. He has 162 points and zero Stage Points thus far this season, 427 points behind the leader, Cole Custer, who drives the No. 00 NASCAR Ford Mustang. However, DiBenedetto is not eligible for the postseason Playoffs because he is a part-time entry.
No other penalties were reported after the Xfinity Series race at New Hampshire. Christopher Bell, a Cup Series regular, won the race in the No. 20 Toyota TRD Supra. Custer finished third in the event after leading the most laps.
Ford is still searching for its first win in the Xfinity Series in 2024. Even though Custer is leading the point standings, he has not yet one a race.
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