NASCAR penalizes three Xfinity Series teams after pre-race inspection at Talladega

Today, before qualifying, NASCAR penalized three Xfinity Series teams for failing postrace inspection at Talladega. Aric Almirola, Blaine Perkins, and Matt DiBenedetto will lose pit selection for Texas next week. Each has had a crew member ejected as well.

These penalties usually aren’t that big of a deal. For Aric Almirola, it likely isn’t a big deal at all. He is part-time and might not even be racing next week at Texas. This is far more impactful for Blaine Perkins and Matty D.

The good news is that each car passed a third time. Had they failed a third time, it would have resulted in no qualifying time for those teams.

Bob Pockrass of FOX Sports reported on the failures. Now these three will see where they stack up in NASCAR Xfinity Series qualifying at Talladega.

In Xfinity tech, the Almirola DiBenedetto and Perkins cars failed twice and had a crew member ejected and lose pit selection for Texas. Those cars passed on the third time.

— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) April 25, 2025

While Aric Almirola is dangerous any time he gets into the Xfinity car, his chances of winning aren’t as great at Talladega. He can’t control the race like he does at Martinsville or other ovals on the schedule. This weekend, he is at the mercy of the draft and, for the most part, other drivers.

Despite a few rough weeks, Blaine Perkins has done well this season at Jordan Anderson. Well, he has had a couple of bright spots. COTA was a great run in the top-10 for Perkins. A couple of years ago, Perkins had a terrifying flip at Talladega. Let’s hope he avoids that this time.

Matt DiBenedetto and Viking Motorsports have not been doing well this season. However, the best races this team has had this year came at Daytona and Atlanta, P11 and P12, respectively. Perhaps Talladega is where they break through?

Jesse Love wins NASCAR Xfinity Series pole at Talladega

There will be no second round of NASCAR Xfinity Series qualifying today as rain moves into the area. Jesse Love is on pole. Love was the quickest in the first round, and that result will hold up for tomorrow’s starting lineup.

Jesse Love won the Spring race at Talladega last season. He is hoping to repeat this weekend and avenge his disqualification from Rockingham. Those ECR engines are always so great at these tracks. Let’s see if it translates to the race.

Austin Hill will join his RCR teammate on the front row. Justin Allgaier continues to be fast everywhere NASCAR goes. Joey Gase put his car on the second row in a shocking result.

Last week, Jesse Love won and was then disqualified at Rockingham. That has to sting, especially after failing to appeal the DQ this week to the National Motorsports Appeals Panel. Coming off of a rough week, this pole award is a nice boost.