Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s NASCAR Team Owns Xfinity Rule Violation as They Decline to Challenge Penalty JR Motorsports, co-owned by NASCAR Hall of Famer Dale Earnhardt Jr., took accountability for a rule violation at the 2025 BetMGM 300 at Charlotte Motor Speedway, choosing not to appeal the penalty. Driver Sammy Smith’s No. 8 Chevrolet, initially a strong fifth-place finisher, was disqualified after failing post-race weight inspection due to a team miscalculation. The team issued a statement on X, saying, “Due to a miscalculation on our end, we failed with our weight in post-race tech with the No. 8. We will not appeal.” The decision cost Smith crucial playoff points, dropping him to 13th in the Xfinity Series standings. Despite the setback, JRM’s transparency earned praise from fans like , who called it “refreshing accountability.” Other JRM drivers, including Carson Kvapil’s 17th-place finish, showed the team’s depth, keeping their championship hopes alive..

JR Motorsports, the NASCAR Xfinity Series team co-owned by Dale Earnhardt Jr., took full responsibility for a costly rule violation at the 2025 BetMGM 300 at Charlotte Motor Speedway. The infraction resulted in the disqualification of driver Sammy Smith’s No. 8 Chevrolet, which had originally finished fifth. After the race, Smith’s car failed to meet minimum weight requirements during post-race inspection — a critical error the team attributed to a miscalculation.

Rather than contest the penalty, JR Motorsports issued a public statement on X (formerly Twitter), acknowledging the mistake: “Due to a miscalculation on our end, we failed with our weight in post-race tech with the No. 8. We will not appeal.” The decision cost Smith vital playoff points, knocking him down to 13th in the series standings.

Despite the setback, the team’s openness and accountability were widely praised by fans, with many calling the gesture “refreshing.” Other JRM drivers, like Carson Kvapil, who finished 17th, showed promise, demonstrating the team’s overall strength and resilience. With several races still ahead, JR Motorsports remains in the playoff hunt, determined to rebound from this setback with renewed focus and integrity.