HAMPTON, GA - MARCH 05: Martin Truex Jr., driver of the #78 Bass Pro Shops/TRACKER Toyota, leads Jimmie Johnson, driver of the #48 Lowe's Chevrolet, and Joey Logano, driver of the #22 Shell Pennzoil Ford, during the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Folds Of Honor QuikTrip 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway on March 5, 2017 in Hampton, Georgia. (Photo by Matt Sullivan/Getty Images)

NASCAR officials confiscate a part straight off a car after the race in New Hampshire


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Joey Logano didn't finish Sunday's Overton's 301 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway after smoke appeared from his left-rear wheel well near the end of Stage 1.

While Logano's car was in the garage, NASCAR officials confiscated a rear suspension part from the No. 22 car to examine it.

Related: Another playoff contender fails to finish at New Hampshire

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This isn't the first time Logano has had issues with a rear suspension part this season. Logano won a race earlier this season at Richmond Raceway, but it was declared an encumbered victory due to a rear suspension irregularity. So Logano the win didn't qualify Logano for the playoffs, and Sunday's finish didn't help matters either.

Logano was asked if he knew what NASCAR officials took from his car and he said, "Something in the back, I don't know. It doesn't matter. It was broken anyway."

Ever since Logano's encumbered win at Richmond, he has struggled mightily to even come close to duplicating that success.

Logano had to make changes to his car after his penalty at Richmond, but he said that has had nothing to do with his struggles since that race.

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NASCAR officials could penalize Logano and his crew again for the rear suspension issue, but even if they don't, he has to solve the problem quickly if he wants to make the playoffs. He currently trails Matt Kenseth for the last spot in the playoff field for drivers without a victory this season.

(h/t AutoSport)