And just like that, Jennifer Jo Cobb will not be racing at Talladega…
Rick Ware Racing announced the 47-year-old as the driver for no. 15 car last week, as she would be the first female racer to compete in a Cup series event since Danica Patrick drove in the Daytona 500 in 2018.
However, according to NBC Sports, Ware had this to say in a statement:
“We’ve been informed by the sanctioning body that Jennifer is not approved to compete in the NASCAR Cup Series event at Talladega Superspeedway this coming weekend. This is an unfortunate situation, but as a team we support NASCAR’s decision to uphold the sanctioning (body’s) rules and regulations.”
According to Cup rules in section 3.11.1.1.b, a driver must submit a resume of previous racing experience to the NASCAR Resume Committee, while the rule also states:
“Any previously approved driver who has not competed for at least one year must resubmit the Driver Information and Record application.”
Since Cobb hasn’t competed in an Xfinity event since 2018, along with her best finish being sixth place at the 2011 Truck Series race at Daytona, her resume wasn’t up to par with the NASCAR Resume Committee.
Since 2018, NASCAR has strengthened their requirements for the series after they permitted Tanner Berryhill, who was driving for an underfunded team making its second series start, to compete in the final two Cup races, including the Championship.
He finished 31st at Phoenix, causing a spin and another accident, forcing two caution flags, and then also placed 38th in the title race at Miami.
