MOORESVILLE, N.C.: Jeremy Clements is back in the NASCAR Xfinity Series Playoffs
On Tuesday morning, Clements and his family-owned Jeremy Clements Racing team won their appeal of a L-2 NASCAR penalty with his victory at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway last month now counting towards eligibility for the 2022 NASCAR Xfinity Series Playoffs.
The Playoffs being next Saturday, September 24 at Texas Motor Speedway.
On Aug. 28, Clements survived a demolition derby at the 2.5-mile superspeedway to end a 164-race winless streak. His No. 51 Chevrolet Camaro passed post-race inspection at the track initially cementing his placement into his second Xfinity Series Playoffs.
The following week heading to Darlington (S.C.) Raceway, NASCAR officials penalized the Spartanburg, S.C.-based team for having an unapproved intake manifold on its sealed engine, which was brought to NASCAR’s R&D Center in Concord, N.C. for routine inspection.
The violation stripped the use of his win to qualify for the Playoffs, while also docking 75 driver and points, 10 Playoff points and crew chief Mark Setzer was fined $60,000.
After pleading their case on Tuesday morning, a three-member National Motorsports Appeals Panel determined the team did not violate the rule and rescinded all of the penalties.
The regular Xfinity Series concludes with Friday night’s Food City 300 at Bristol (Tenn.) Motor Speedway.
Soon after winning their appeal, the team released the following statement on social media:
“Our small, family-owned team works hard to safe, legal and competitive car to the race track every week and are pleased that the previous ruling was overturned.
“We remain focused on competing for the 2022 NASCAR Xfinity Series championship and appreciate the continued support of our fans and sponsors.”
With Clements back apart of the Playoff picture, Ryan Sieg drops below the cutline, 19 markers behind Landon Cassill who is currently seeded 12th the last position in the seven-race run to the Championship 4 race at Phoenix (Ariz.) Raceway on Nov. 5, 2022, in Avondale, Ariz.
Follow Chris Knight on Twitter @Knighter01.
