Members of the No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports team, which fields cars for Kyle Larson, has been penalized, after the team lost a wheel following a pit stop during Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series race at Sonoma Raceway.
Larson’s crew chief Cliff Daniels, along with crew members Donnie Tasser and Brandon Johnson are suspended for the next four races until New Hampshire on July 17.Â
Larson left his pit stall under power, but upon returning to the track, the right-front wheel came off, which is a violation of Section 10.5.2.6: Loss or separation of an improperly installed tire/wheel from the vehicle.
Daniels was critical of NASCAR earlier this season for issuing these types of penalties. At the time, Daniels called the penalties “mind blowing,” adding, “So we’re gonna go ahead and put them on the sidelines for four weeks. And we’re gonna bring in two guys that are less experienced to go to the car and do the same thing. So that in itself just doesn’t make sense.
“So hopefully some momentum will get generated between the teams and between NASCAR to really take a deep dive look at it and fix it because I’ve seen teams that have had these issues and crew chiefs and pit crew guys that get suspended. It’s heartbreaking and it’s so frustrating because we know what we’re dealing with, with the limitations of the parts and the pieces and just the nonsensical penalties that get handed out just don’t make any sense. So in my opinion, it needs to get fixed sooner (rather) than later.”
Hendrick Motorsports officials said the team will not appeal the penalty.
Rick Ware Racing’s No. 51 team, along with driver Cody Ware, have also been penalized 20 team owner and driver points after failing inspection multiple times. The team failed pre-race inspection four times, sending the No. 51 to the rear of the field at the start of Sunday’s race.Â