Announcement: NASCAR hits No. 48 Chevrolet driver with L1-level penalties, fines him for violations of rules

Parker Kligerman’s penalty following the race at Michigan International Speedway might cost him a berth in the NASCAR Xfinity Series playoffs.

NASCAR’s decision to remove Richard Childress Racing’s Austin Dillon from the provisional Cup Series playoff picture due to his recent race win at Richmond Raceway, and subsequent decision to deny his team’s initial appeal, has dominated the buildup to the postseason.

Another decision, however, could be equally critical for the Xfinity Series.

The Xfinity Series returned to action for the first time in four weeks this past Saturday at Michigan International Speedway, and the No. 48 Big Machine Racing team was found to have violated the NASCAR Rule Book during pre-race inspection prior to the Cabo Wabo 250.

Parker Kligerman, Big Machine Racing penalized

According to NASCAR.com, the No. 48 Chevrolet was deemed to have violated Section 14.4.10.A, which deals with rear spoiler alterations. As a result, Parker Kligerman, who finished 11th in the race, and his team received an L1 penalty this week.

Kligerman finished the four-turn, 2.0-mile (3.219-kilometer) Brooklyn, Michigan oval in ninth place in the point standings and 11th in the preliminary 12-driver playoff race. He remains in the same place in both, although he and the No. 48 team in the owner standings were fined 20 points each.

Kligerman is now only 16 points ahead of Sieg with five races remaining on the 26-race regular season schedule, down from 36 points earlier. The playoff cut line is currently between JR Motorsports’ Sammy Smith and RSS Racing’s Ryan Sieg. He’s 15 points ahead of Smith.

The Xfinity Series returns to action this weekend at Daytona International Speedway, with the Wawa 250 Powered by Coca-Cola slated for Friday night.