Rockingham Speedway winner disqualified by NASCAR

Jesse Love disqualified after winning at Rockingham Speedway

On Saturday, the NASCAR Xfinity Series raced at Rockingham Speedway. It marked the first Xfinity race at the North Carolina track in over two decades.

The race went into overtime. We saw Jesse Love use the bumper, moving Sammy Smith up the track as Love went on to cross the finish line first.

However, Love has failed post race inspection.

The No. 2 has been disqualified for violating rule 14.14.2.I-5.H (All mating surfaces between the truck trailing arm and the U-bolt saddle must be in complete contact with each other).

That rule covers trailing arm spacers and pinion angle shims.

Sammy Smith, the 2nd place finisher has officially been credited with the win.

Additionally, the No. 19 has also been disqualified after being found violating rule 10.5.2.5.D (Lug nuts not installed in a safe and secure manner).

Rockingham Results: April 19, 2025 (NASCAR Xfinity Series)

NASCAR comments on the penalty

“All mating surfaces of those parts need to be in complete contact with each other, and unfortunately they violated that rule and were disqualified,” said series director Eric Peterson.

The penalty was issued late Saturday night.

Sammy Smith comments

“It’s a tough way to win that, but I feel like we’ll take ‘em any way we can get ‘em,” Smith said after learning of Love’s disqualification. “We waited here to see what happens, but overall, it was a good day, and I’m very happy with the progress we’ve made recently.”

He added, “I’m kind of speechless, to be honest with you.”

Smith picks up the win. He also won the $100,000 Dash for Cash bonus.

Dale Earnhardt Jr comments

Dale Earnhardt Jr is the co-owner of JR Motorsports. Sammy Smith is their driver and thus the team owner is now celebrating a win. However, he’s seen this penalty before.

“I’ve appealed this and had it overturned but I’m still gonna throw on some Eminence Front and crush a beer for Sammy.”

Update: Richard Childress Racing statement

On Monday morning, RCR issued the following statement:

“Richard Childress Racing will appeal NASCAR’s decision to disqualify the No. 2 team’s win from the NASCAR Xfinity Series race at Rockingham Speedway.”

Update: Appeals panel rules after hearing

Upon hearing the testimony, the decisions of the National Motorsports Appeals Panel are:

– “That the Appellant violated the Rule(s) set forth in the Penalty Notice.”

– “That the Panel affirms and upholds the original Penalty assessed by NASCAR.”

In reaching the above decision, the panel provided the following explanation: “The panel finds that it is more likely than not that there was a violation of 14.14.2 Rear Suspension, I-5.H. The panel was unable to determine whether the violation was intentional or unintentional. The panel finds that the mating surfaces between the truck trailing arm and the U-bolt saddle were not in contact with each other.”

The Appeals Panel members for this hearing:

– Mr. Bill Mullis

– Mr. Hunter Nickell

– Mr. Steve York

(Updated)
Rockingham Speedway
Race Results
April 19, 2025
NASCAR Xfinity Series

Pos | Driver

1. Sammy Smith

2. Parker Retzlaff

3. Harrison Burton

4. Brennan Poole

5. Taylor Gray

6. Austin Hill

7. Josh Williams

8. Jeb Burton

9. Daniel Dye

10. Jeremy Clements

11. Dean Thompson

12. Brandon Jones

13. Connor Zilisch

14. Kasey Kahne

15. Anthony Alfredo

16. Carson Kvapil

17. Josh Bilicki

18. Ryan Sieg

19. Patrick Emerling

20. Kyle Sieg

21. Justin Allgaier

22. Garrett Smithley

23. Christian Eckes

24. Cicente Salas

25. William Sawalich

26. Sam Mayer

27. Matt DiBenedetto

28. Kris Wright

29. Thomas Annunziata

30. Austin Green

31. Nick Sanchez

32. Blaine Perkins

33. Ryan Ellis

34. Greg Van Alst

35. Sheldon Creed

36. Katherine Legge

37. Jesse Love

38. Justin Bonsignore

Links

Jesse Love | Sammy Smith | Rockingham Speedway | NASCAR