MARTINSVILLE, VA - OCTOBER 31: Dale Earnhardt Jr., driver of the #88 Nationwide Chevrolet, talks with Matt Kenseth, driver of the #20 Dollar General Toyota, in the garage area during practice for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Goody's Headache Relief Shot 500 at Martinsville Speedway on October 31, 2015 in Martinsville, Virginia. (Photo by Jeff Zelevansky/Getty Images)

Two playoff drivers get bad news at Dover


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Five Cup teams were docked 15 minutes of practice time prior to Sunday's playoff race at Dover.

Two of those five drivers are currently in the postseason, including Matt Kenseth and Kasey Kahne. They were each docked 15 minutes because their cars failed two inspections prior to last weekend's race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.

Kahne is fighting for his postseason life entering Sunday. He needs a strong showing if he wants to advance to the Round of 12. Otherwise, he'll be one of the first four drivers eliminated. Kenseth should be safe for at least another round, but he's still in search of his first win of the season, and losing practice time isn't the best start to the weekend.

Related: Kasey Kahne opens up about joining Leavine Family Racing

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The three other Cup drivers who lost practice time are Dale Earnhardt Jr., Ross Chastain and Brett Moffitt. Their cars also failed two inspections before last Sunday's race at New Hampshire, and they will lose 15 minutes of practice time each.

Sunday's race at Dover International Speedway is at 2 p.m. ET on NBC Sports Network.

(h/t NBC Sports)

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