NASCAR suspends Spire Motorsports car chief after failed Phoenix inspection

Michael McDowell's weekend in Phoenix has taken a turn after the No. 71 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet failed pre-qualifying inspections twice.

NASCAR has suspended McDowell's car chief, Griffin Ridder, for the rest of the weekend, and the team will now lose pit selection for the Phoenix Spring race today.

Despite the hiccup, Spire Motorsports has had a great weekend on track so far. All three cars will start in the top eight. Carson Hocevar will start third in the No. 77, and McDowell's No. 71 will line up in seventh alongside Justin Haley in eighth with the No. 7.

Reacting to the achievement, the 2021 Daytona 500 champion shared in a video posted to X (formerly Twitter):

"Well, that is awesome! I'm so proud of everybody at Spire Motorsports [for] getting three cars in the top 10. Great effort. We're just getting rolling. Workforce Chevy was pretty good race trim. Had a little bobble there in Qualifying but, like I said, very proud of everybody's effort.

"We're building something, and now people are starting to see it. So, let's go out there tomorrow. If we could get three cars in the top 10 at the finish tomorrow, that would be great. Keep pushing forward!"

The 2025 NASCAR Cup Series is McDowell's first season with the Spire Motorsports team. The 40-year-old announced in May last year that he had decided to leave Front Row Motorsports after seven years with the team. He explained at the time:

Michael McDowell, Front Row Motorsports, Benebone Ford Mustang

Photo by: Rusty Jarrett / NKP / Motorsport Images

“For the past seven years, I’ve been fortunate to call Front Row Motorsports ‘home. Together, we’ve challenged the giants of NASCAR, leaving a mark on the sport that I’m proud to be a part of.

“Rest assured, there’s still a lot of racing left this season, and I’m fully committed to doing whatever it takes to get FRM another win and another playoff berth. We’re not slowing down until the checkered flag flies in Phoenix.

“I look forward to continue driving for many years to come and can’t wait to share my future plans with you all soon.”

The NASCAR Cup Series Shriners Children's 500 will begins at 3.30 p.m. ET. William Byron will start the race from pole position followed by Joey Logano and Hocevar. Commenting on securing the pole award, Byron explained:

"I did not hit my marks. I was sideways. I just carried a ton of entry speed. I felt like I missed the middle of the corner and had just come off the dogleg (where) I was so loose. I was just going to try and commit to the exits and see how much I could get out of the exits, even though I missed the center.

"I'm still shaking. I can't believe -- that did not feel like a good lap, but I just committed to it and the grip was there."