Breaking News: NASCAR Penalty Threatens Parker Kligerman’s Playoff Hopes in the Xfinity Series

A penalty from NASCAR could change the playoff field.

Parker Kligerman may lose his berth in the NASCAR Xfinity Series playoffs as a result of his punishment following the race at Michigan International Speedway.

In the lead-up to the postseason, NASCAR’s decision to eliminate Austin Dillon of Richard Childress Racing from the provisional Cup Series playoff picture due to his recent victory at Richmond Raceway and the subsequent ruling to reject his team’s initial appeal have dominated the news.

But there’s another choice that might end up being equally important for the Xfinity Series.

This past Saturday was the Xfinity Series’ first raceback in four weeks at Michigan International Speedway. Prior to the Cabo Wabo 250, the No. 48 Big Machine Racing crew was discovered to have broken the NASCAR Rule Book during pre-race inspection.

Big Machine Racing’s Parker Kligerman received a penalty.

The No. 48 Chevrolet was deemed to have broken Section 14.4.10.A, which addresses alterations to the rear spoiler, according to NASCAR.com. Parker Kligerman, who finished the race in eleventh place, and his team were thus assessed an L1-level penalty this week.

After the 2.0-mile (3.219-kilometre)  four-turn Brooklyn, Michigan, circuit, Kligerman was in ninth place in the point standings and eleventh in the preliminary 12-driver playoff picture. Although he was penalised 20 points, along with the No. 48 team in the owner standings, he remains in the same place in both.

With five races left in the 26-race regular season schedule, Kligerman is now only 16 points ahead of RSS Racing’s Ryan Sieg, rather than 36 points ahead of the playoff cut line, which is now between Sammy Smith of JR Motorsports and Smith. He leads Smith by fifteen points.