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Cars of Dale Earnhardt Jr., Denny Hamlin fail post-qualifying inspection

57th Annual Daytona 500 - Qualifying

57th Annual Daytona 500 - Qualifying

Brian Lawdermilk

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - Defending Daytona 500 champion Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Denny Hamlin will start at the rear of their Duel 150 qualifying races Thursday after failing post-qualifying inspection Sunday at Daytona International Speedway.

Earnhardt’s No. 88 Chevrolet did not meet the minimum height requirement. It was too low on the left front. Earnhardt’s times were disallowed in each of the three qualifying sessions. He’ll start 25th in the first qualifying race Thursday night.

Hamlin’s No. 11 Toyota also failed post-qualifying inspection. The split on the track bar was 3.75 inches. The regulation is 3.0 inches split maximum. Hamlin’s qualifying times also were disallowed. He’ll start 24th in the second qualifying race Thursday night.

Both Earnhardt and Hamlin face no additional penalties since they will be starting at the rear of their qualifying races, a NASCAR spokesperson said.

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