At Texas Motor Speedway on April 14th, 2024, the race seemed to be in the hands of Kyle Larson, driver of the No. 5 NASCAR Chevy Camaro ZL1. However, things went south when the right rear wheel popped off Larson’s race car, resulting in a two-lap penalty under green and turning the race away from his favor. As per the NASCAR Rule Book, two crewmembers have now been suspended from Larson’s team for failing to secure the wheel.
Specifically, rear-tire changer Calvin Teague and jackman Brandon Johnson were suspended for two Cup races, meaning they will not serve on the No. 5 NASCAR Chevy crew at Talladega on April 21st or Dover on April 28th. Such penalties are outlined in the NASCAR Rule Book under Safety Sections 8.8.10.4.C, which refer to “Loss or separation of an improperly installed tire/wheel from the vehicle.” Larson finished 21st at Texas as a result of the lost wheel and ensuing penalties.
Meanwhile, several other NASCAR Chevy teams were named in this week’s penalty report. Doug Warrick, crewmember on the No. 33 Chevy team of Austin Hill in the Cup Series, was suspended for violating Safety Sections 14.3.1.2 A & B & D: Crew Protective Clothing/Equipment and will not compete at Talladega.
In the Xfinity Series, the No. 48 Chevy team of Parker Kligerman was also penalized for a loose wheel at Texas, resulting in a $5,000 fine to crew chief Patrick Donahue; the No. 9 Camaro of Brandon Jones was also found to have a loose wheel, and crew chief Philip Bell was also fined $5,000. Brandon Harder, crewmember for Jones’ NASCAR Chevy team, was also suspended for a protective clothing violation and will not compete at Talladega this weekend.
Finally, Nicholas Covey, the jackman for the No. 3 Chevy team of Austin Dillon in the Cup Series, has been indefinitely suspended for violating NASCAR’s substance abuse policy.
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Comments
NASCAR has now had 3+ years of dealing with centerlock wheels. Maybe they should shadow a Formula 1 pit crew to see how it’s done – – 4 tires changed in under 3 (sometimes under 2) seconds. And yes I know the F1 crew has 3x as many people but even with all the extra commotion, the wheels manage to stay on.
Wheels never fell off when they had 5 lugnuts. NASCAR will eventually kill someone with this lose wheel issue they created. Crappy cars, silly race tracks (i.e. the Coliseum) and ridiculous road race in Chicago show the GRAND ideas current NASCAR leadership has. NASCAR is just repeating the history that destroyed INDY after the 60’s and 70’s!!!
I can hear ol’ DW singing, “You picked a fine time to leave me, loose wheel”… 😉
It’s three years in and there are still entirely too many cars losing wheels on the track. It’s unacceptably dangerous for drivers, crews & spectators. I’ve personally seen what a tire/wheel combo traveling at 130 mph does to a spectator behind (above) the fence in the top row of bleachers. I haven’t yet heard any justification for switching to the centerlug mounting of wheels. One lug or five lugs, all teams are the same and are on a level playing field. A few more seconds in the pits isn’t worth a fan’s life. Switch back to five lugs now!