Only 38 cars took the track for NASCAR Cup Series first practice at Charlotte Motor Speedway - two short because the #83 and #23 of BK Racing didn't get on the track.

BK Racing later presented the two cars for qualifying inspection but, again, did not take to the track for qualifying. Per the NASCAR rulebook, a qualifying attempt consists of passing initial inspection, participating in practice and passing qualifying inspection. At some point, unless the series director rules otherwise, the cars would have to, at least, make a practice attempt.

A source told Kickin' the Tires that Joey Arrington, owner of REP and Ron Devine, owner of BK Racing, were, or would be, meeting to discuss and work out the financial matter between the two companies because the engine bill had not been paid.

REP and BK Racing have been in an ongoing legal battle over engines and payments for some time, which was first reported in January by Kickin' the Tires. That case, which was brought by BK Racing, required Devine to pay REP $1.46 million earlier this year but in a win for Devine, the court ruled BK Racing would receive the engines involved in the dispute.

Since that time, the two companies worked out an arrangement where REP would continue to provide BK Racing with engines for the 2017 season. That deal apparently had a hiccup on Friday, when the engine tuners for left the garage and took with them the modules and codes needed to fire the engines.

When reached for contact, Devine said, "We'll be fine. No story here."

--- Kickin the Tires ---

UPDATE: