Two HMS Crew Members Face Suspension After Larson's COTA Wheel Incident
NASCAR has suspended two Hendrick Motorsports pit crew members from Kyle Larson's team after a wheel detachment incident at Circuit of The Americas (COTA).
Race cars competing on race track
Jackman Brandon Johnson and front tire changer Blaine Anderson will miss the next two Cup Series races at Phoenix Raceway and Las Vegas Motor Speedway. They can return for the Homestead-Miami Speedway race on March 23.
The incident occurred on lap 44 when the right-front wheel came off Larson's car following a pit stop. The team received an in-race two-lap penalty, resulting in Larson finishing 32nd in the EchoPark Automotive Grand Prix.
Per NASCAR's 2023 penalty guidelines for detached wheels:
- Yellow flag/pit road: Restart at tail end of field
- Green flag/pit road: Pass-through penalty
- Beyond pit road: Two-lap penalty and two-race crew suspension
Eric Ludwig (jackman) and Jafar Hall (tire changer) from Justin Haley's No. 7 car will replace the suspended crew members at Phoenix. Hendrick Motorsports provides pit crews to Spire Motorsports.
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