NASCAR has recently taken action against driver Joey Logano from Team Penske and Stewart-Haas Racing for equipment violations, resulting in penalties and fines. Logano's left glove was found to be webbed during the Cup Series race at Atlanta Motor Speedway, leading to a penalty that sent him to the rear of the field and required a pass-through penalty. Additionally, Logano was fined $10,000 for a safety violation.

The competition infraction was discovered through a review of in-car camera footage, where NASCAR officials noticed the modified glove being used by Logano to block air. The alteration to the glove changed its original SFI-approved design, which is considered a breach of safety regulations. Brad Moran, NASCAR Cup Series managing director, presented the webbed glove to the media at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

Moran emphasized that safety is a top priority for NASCAR, and regular checks are conducted using in-car footage to ensure compliance with safety standards. These checks analyze various aspects, including helmet height, headrest height, and driver movement inside the cockpit. Logano's car was one of five randomly selected for inspection at Atlanta, but it remains uncertain if he used the same glove during the previous race at Daytona International Speedway.

An SFI-approved piece of protective equipment, such as a glove, cannot be modified in any way. Moran stressed that the glove must be used as delivered and tested, without any alterations. Blocking air by putting hands against the window net or in the opening between the window net and A post is allowed, but Logano's modified glove exceeded this permissible measure. Consequently, the violation was not only a competition issue but also a safety violation due to the non-approved nature of the glove.

In addition to Logano's penalty, NASCAR also uncovered equipment violations in the Stewart-Haas Racing team. The roof rails from the No. 10 and No. 41 cars were confiscated and found to have pressed marks that were not within compliance. The roof rails, considered team parts and not single-sourced supplied parts, are required to be built exactly to CAD (Computer-Aided Design) specifications.

As a result of this infraction, Stewart-Haas Racing was docked 35 driver and owner points for both teams. Moran clarified that only the No. 10 and No. 41 cars were involved in the violation, with the rest of the field and other Stewart-Haas Racing cars deemed compliant.

These recent penalties highlight NASCAR's commitment to upholding safety regulations and maintaining fair competition among drivers and teams. The strict enforcement of equipment standards ensures that all participants adhere to approved designs, safeguarding the integrity and safety of the sport.