NASCAR Disqualifies Kevin Harvick at Talladega Due to Non Conforming Windshield Fasteners

Kevin Harvick, who narrowly missed victory by 0.012 sec. to Ryan Blaney in Sunday's NASCAR Cup Series Yellawood 500 at Talladega Superspeedway, will now be credited with a last-place finish following post-race inspection.

Harvick and the No. 4 Stewart-Haas Racing team were disqualified by NASCAR due to an infraction found with the windshield fasteners in post-race inspection. Officially, the team was found in violation of section 14.1.e&p of the NASCAR Rulebook (overall vehicle assembly) as well as section 14.5.6.2.F (Windshield).

According to a representative from NASCAR, the windshield fasteners must remain secured and in place throughout the entire event, which Harvick's car failed to do.

While the result doesn't stand, Harvick put in a remarkable performance on Sunday, coming tantalizingly close to victory in a thrilling photo finish during his final race at Talladega Superspeedway.

Harvick's disqualification reshuffled the finishing results, as NASCAR promoted Hendrick Motorsports driver William Byron to the runner-up position.

Denny Hamlin advanced to the third position, Corey LaJoie was credited with fourth place, and Austin Cindric rounded out the top-five finishers in the race.

Harvick being dropped to the last-place finishing position, elevates Ross Chastain, who had encountered an early race incident, from that position. Additionally, the disqualification altered the top-10 Stage results throughout the race, resulting in some drivers gaining extra points in Sunday's race.

Stewart-Haas Racing does have the ability to challenge the penalty in the appeals process, but has not stated whether they will pursue that action or not. If they do choose to appeal, the appeal will need to be expedited due to next week's race at the Charlotte Motor Speedway ROVAL being the cutoff event for the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs Round of 12.

Photo Credit: Rusty Jarrett, NKP, Courtesy of Ford Performance