Joey Logano was set to start on the front row for the Atlanta race but was moved to the back for a rules violation.
NASCAR said Logano’s gloves did not meet the required SFI safety specification.
Chase Elliott was also moved to the back for unapproved adjustments.
Joey Logano's glove penalty explained by @LarryMac28:#RaceDay | https://t.co/mRRDpA6iAy https://t.co/oy8V1MYfA8 pic.twitter.com/Mo8agc6bLh
— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) February 25, 2024
Logano was penalized because the glove on his left hand during qualifying was not rated as meeting the required safety standard, even though using one hand above the window for airflow is a common qualifying tactic.
FOX analyst Larry McReynolds said every piece of a driver’s gear must meet the SFI safety rating standards to be allowed, and Logano’s glove did not, resulting in the penalty despite the tactic being commonly used in qualifying.
“The glove that Joey had on his left hand it was not SFI rated,” McReynolds said. “Everybody does this at super speedways in qualifying. They put that left hand up there (by the safety net) to try and block some air.
“Evidently, NASCAR deemed it that the glove he had on yesterday was not something he would do in the race, but it was not SFI rated. You can do what Joey did there – everybody does it. But the glove was not SFI rated and that was a safety violation.”
