NASCAR has officially cleared the race vehicles of drivers Alex Bowman and Denny Hamlin following rigorous technical inspections at the sport's Research and Development Center on July 8, 2026.
Officials confirmed that neither team received penalties after the recent Cup Series event at Chicagoland Speedway.
>>> Steve Cherundolo Appointed US Olympic Men's Soccer Coach for 2028 LA Games
The decision comes after standout performances on Sunday night, where Hamlin secured a fourth-place finish and Bowman claimed fifth.
Inspections Under NextGen Regulations
According to reports from AOL and Yahoo Sports, NASCAR selected Hamlin's No. 11 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota and Bowman's No. 48 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet for closer evaluation, elevating the risk of regulatory sanctions.
Under the NextGen car regulations, teams have historically faced severe penalties when vehicles are taken to the R&D Center.
>>> European Parliament Approves Next Phase for Digital Euro Development
Past technical infractions have stripped teams of more than 100 points, though most inspected cars are ultimately cleared.
The successful inspection provides major relief for Bowman, who has endured a difficult 2026 Cup Series campaign.
Yahoo Sports reported that Bowman currently ranks 29th in the point standings, trailing the Chase playoff bubble by 145 points.
>>> Drents Museum Lifts Suspension of Business Director Annelies Meuleman
With seven races left in the NASCAR regular season, Hendrick Motorsports looks to carry this momentum into EchoPark Speedway to chase their first win of the year.
