Crew chief Adam Stevens, tire changer Jacob Seminara and tire carrier Kenneth Barber were suspended from all NASCAR Series Championship Points Events for four races after a tire came off the Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota driven by Kyle Busch during the AAA 400 Drive for Autism. Busch’s pit crew appeared to drop the jack before the lug nuts were secure on the left-rear tire during a scheduled pit stop, causing the tire to come off on the track after Busch had left pit road.
According to a spokesperson at Joe Gibbs Racing, the team does not have plans to appeal and Ben Beshore will serve as the interim crew chief.
NASCAR also penalized the No. 29 Camping World Truck Series team of Chase Briscoe for a similar infraction where a tire came off during Friday’s event at Dover International Speedway. No. 29 crew chief Mike Hillman Jr and the team’s tire carrier Eric Pinkiert and tire changer Wesley McPherson were suspended from all points-paying events for four races.
In a statement issued by Brad Keselowski Racing, the team was considering options under the appeals process outlined in the NASCAR Rule Book. Buddy Sisco will serve as Briscoe’s crew chief in the interim.
Both improper installation penalties were set per the NASCAR Rule Book, Sections 10.9.10.4.c: Tires and Wheels; 12.5.2.6.3.c Minimum Safety Penalty Options. NASCAR implemented these rules for safety reasons, in order to prevent teams from leaving lug nuts loose on a tire in order to gain track position.
The XFINITY Series No. 19 crew chief Matt Beckman was also fined $5,000 for a Sections 10.9.10.4 violation where the lug nuts on the No. 19 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota were not properly installed.
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