February 15, 2022: #7: Corey LaJoie, Spire Motorsports, Chevrolet Camaro Built.compractice at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, FL. (HHP/Harold Hinson)
Three crew members on Corey LaJoie's Spire Motorsports No. 7, including crew chief Ryan Sparks, were suspended on Tuesday. (HHP/Harold Hinson photo) (HHP/Harold Hinson)

NASCAR Suspends Three Spire Crew Members

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — NASCAR officials suspended Spire Motorsports crew chief Ryan Sparks and crew members Blaine Anderson (front changer) and Allen Hollman (jack) on Tuesday for four championship points events.

The penalties were assessed as a result of the No. 7 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet driven by Corey LaJoie losing a wheel during Sunday’s Ruoff Mortage 500 at Phoenix Raceway.

LaJoie hit the wall and lost a wheel during Stage 1 and ended up completing only 45 of the scheduled 312 laps for a last-place finish.

The violation fell under Sections 10.5.2.6 of the NASCAR Rule Book: Loss or separation of an improperly installed tire/wheel from the vehicle.

NASCAR also fined two Xfinity Series teams after their cars were found with a single lug nut not secured in post-race inspection on Saturday at Phoenix.

 Those teams were the No. 18 of Trevor Bayne and the No. 19 of Brandon Jones, with the respective crew chiefs Jason Ratliff and Jeff Meendering receiving $5,000 fines.