NASCAR has penalized Richard Childress Racing’s No. 3 team after a loose wheel incident involving driver Austin Dillon during Sunday’s Cup Series race at the Charlotte Roval. Dillon’s left-front tire came off on lap 81 in Turn 4, triggering the fifth and final caution of the race. He ultimately finished 32nd.
The detached wheel violated Sections 8.8.10.4.A & C of the NASCAR Rule Book, which covers the “loss or separation of an improperly installed tire/wheel” during an event. As a result, Joshua Thomas (front tire-changer) and Nick Covey (jackman) have been suspended for the next two Cup Series races, meaning they will miss Sunday’s race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway and the October 27 event at Homestead-Miami Speedway.
Additionally, NASCAR has penalized four Xfinity Series crew chiefs after post-race inspections revealed their cars had a single unsecured lug nut. Each crew chief has been fined $5,000 for the safety violations, though the drivers for all four teams remain eligible for the Xfinity Series Playoffs.
The affected teams, crew chiefs, and drivers are:
- No. 7 JR Motorsports Chevrolet (crew chief James Pohlman, driver Justin Allgaier)
- No. 8 JR Motorsports Chevrolet (crew chief Phillip Bell, driver Sammy Smith)
- No. 21 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet (crew chief Andy Street, driver Austin Hill)
- No. 81 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota (crew chief Jeff Meendering, driver Chandler Smith)
These penalties come as NASCAR continues its strict enforcement of safety regulations, particularly around tire and wheel safety during races.
