Erik Jones Disqualified After Failing Weight Check at Martinsville

Erik Jones faced a significant setback at the Cook Out 400 in Martinsville when his No. 43 Toyota Camry XSE was disqualified for failing to meet the minimum weight requirement after finishing 24th. Initially, Jones earned points from both his stage finish and overall placement, but the disqualification dropped him to 38th, resulting in a net loss of 18 championship points and a fall from 21st to 29th in the NASCAR Cup Series standings. This incident underscores the strict compliance standards upheld by NASCAR, where even minor infractions can have substantial consequences. The Legacy Motor Club team now faces the challenge of determining how the weight issue occurred, which could stem from miscalculations or race conditions. NASCAR will further inspect Jones' car at its R&D Center, alongside another vehicle from Kaulig Racing. This disqualification marks a troubling point in Jones' season, as he has yet to secure a top-10 finish.