NASCAR is performing a deeper inspection process after the Cup Series race at Richmond Raceway this weekend. Chase Elliott's No. 9 car for Hendrick Motorsports has been taken to the NASCAR R&D Center for further inspection after Richmond, the sport announced. Elliott finished in fifth place on Saturday night.
The Hendrick Motorsports driver has struggled over the last few months and finally earned another top-5 finish at Richmond. NASCAR taking Elliott's No. 9 car to the R&D Center doesn't automatically mean something is wrong; however, it does heighten the risk of a potential penalty.
In the NextGen car era, drivers and teams have received significant penalties when NASCAR takes a car to the R&D Center. There have been several occasions when they have lost over 100 points due to an infraction. Most cars are cleared after going to the R&D Center, but exceptions exist.
Elliott will likely be OK; however, NASCAR has blasted teams in the past for any wrongdoing.
NASCAR reveals post-race inspection results from Cup race at Richmond
This article originally appeared on Motorsports Wire: NASCAR to further inspect Chase Elliott's car after Richmond in 2026