NASCAR officials announced sanctions Tuesday against the No. 3 Richard Childress Racing team for a loose wheel during last weekend’s Cup Series race at Charlotte Motor Speedway Roval.
Austin Dillon drove the No. 3 Chevrolet to a 32nd-place finish Sunday in the Bank of America ROVAL 400. On the 81st lap of the 109-lap race, the left front tire became dislodged as Dillon rounded Turn 4, forcing fifth and final period of caution. The loose wheel violated Sections 8.8.10.4.A and C of the NASCAR rulebook, which pertain to “loss or separation of an improperly installed tire/wheel from the vehicle during the event.”
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As a result, competition officials have suspended No. 3 RCR crew members Joshua Thomas (front tire changer) and Nick Covey (jack) for the next two Cup Series events: Sunday’s race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway and the Oct. 27 event at Homestead. – Miami Motor Speedway.
NASCAR officials also fined four Xfinity Series crew chiefs after their cars were found with just one unsecured lug nut each during a post-race inspection Saturday at the Charlotte Roval. Each team leader was fined $5,000 for safety violations; drivers from all four teams are still eligible for the championship in the Xfinity Series playoffs.
Teams with single bar infractions (with their corresponding crew chiefs and drivers):
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No. 7 JR Motorsports Chevrolet (crew chief James Pohlman, driver Justin Allgaier)
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No. 8 JR Motorsports Chevrolet (crew chief Phillip Bell, driver Sammy Smith)
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No. 21 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet (crew chief Andy Street, driver Austin Hill)
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No. 81 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota (crew chief Jeff Meendering, driver Chandler Smith)
