Ross Chastain dealt crippling penalty ahead of North Wilkesboro race

Trackhouse Racing driver Ross Chastain has six consecutive top 20 finishes and has slowly but surely made his way into the NASCAR Cup Series Chase conversation, but the Alva, Florida, native will have a steep hill to climb in Sunday's Window World 450 at North Wilkesboro Speedway. 

Chastain was penalized on Saturday after his No. 1 Chevrolet failed NASCAR inspection three times. He will start at the rear of the field and have to do a drive-through pit road penalty after taking the green flag, which is extremely detrimental at a short track such as North Wilkesboro. 

How will the penalty affect Ross Chastain?

Chastain will assuredly lose a lap and could lose two in the race's early going, depending on the pace of his car. 

The good news for Chastain is that his No. 1 was fast in Saturday's practice session. He was third-fastest overall and seventh on 10-lap averages.