Todd Gilliland penalized after failing inspection three times at Daytona

A great qualifying effort for Todd Gilliland, but bad news as the Front Row Motorsports driver failed inspection three times. The No. 38 car failed NASCAR inspection three times and that means penalties for the team.

Todd Gilliland will keep his starting spot. However, his car chief is ejected in addition to losing his pit stall selection. That could play a big factor on Saturday night.

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Gilliland’s teammate Michael McDowell won the pole award. Gilliland was right behind him for P2. Could be a big day for Front Row Motorsports.

Bob Pockrass of FOX Sports detailed the penalties for Gilliland’s team.

In Cup tech, Todd Gilliland car didn't pass until third time so despite starting on front row, he won't get to pick his pit stall (they lose pit selection). And his car chief was ejected. The rest of the cars passed on first or second try.

— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) August 23, 2024

Todd Gilliland has slowly been improving. In the 2024 season, he has made huge strides in his performance for Front Row Motorsports. Last season, in 2023, he wasn’t even full-time in his own car, with Zane Smith taking select starts.

Now, Gilliland is in position to be the top driver and a team leader for FRM in 2025. Michael McDowell is leaving for Spire Motorsports, Noah Gragson is joining, and there will be one other driver in the FRM organization next season with those two.

The leap that Gilliland has made has been massive from his rookie season to now. If he were to win tomorrow night, it honestly wouldn’t be that big of a shock. He has truly been a top-20 driver this season and it has shown in the second half of the season.

Michael McDowell, Todd Gilliland on front row at Daytona

For the fourth time this season, Michael McDowell wins the pole award. He gets it done for the Coke Zero Sugar 400 this time. He was second best at Daytona for the 500, and now he’s the top driver. Does he have another NASCAR win up his sleeve?

Michael McDowell is looking to win at Daytona in order to punch his ticket to his second straight playoffs. That will be easier said than done.

Good news, McDowell has a ton of speed. So does his teammate, Todd Gilliland. Front Row Motorsports locked out the front row and were by far the fastest two cars in qualifying.

Joey Logano is right there in P3. Logano was the pole winner at the Daytona 500. Again, as we look through the fastest 10 cars, it is dominated by Ford. The first six drivers and seven of the top-8 are all Dark Horse Mustangs.