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CONCORD, N.C. -- Three NASCAR Sprint Cup Series teams picked up their fourth warnings for inspection issues Friday, meaning they will be the last three to select pit stalls Saturday for Sunday's Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
Cited for inspection issues were the teams of six-time Sprint Cup Series champion Jimmie Johnson (Hendrick Motorsports), teammate Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Richard Petty Motorsports driver Aric Almirola.
Johnson qualified seventh Friday, while Almirola was 20th and Earnhardt was 25th.
The loss of pit stall selection does not affect the three drivers' starting position in the 40-car lineup for Sunday's 400-lap event.
NASCAR may issue warnings for minor infractions that occur during the pre-qualifying and pre-race inspection process. Once a team receives a fourth warning, the loss of pit stall selection is put into play. If the fourth warning is received prior to the pit selection process, it is enforced at that event. If the fourth warning comes after the pit stalls have been chosen, it will be enforced at the next scheduled race (or race in which that team participates).
Johnson's team received its fourth warning after failing template inspection twice, thus requiring a third pass through that inspection station.
Earnhardt Jr.'s No. 88 team also required three trips through template inspection resulting in a fourth warning.
Almirola's team was tagged for requiring more than the allotted number of trips through the template and the laser inspection station.
Once a team receives its fourth warning, its total is reset to zero. Warnings cannot be appealed.