NASCAR issues pit-crew suspensions to No. 3 and No. 51 teams after Texas Motor Speedway

NASCAR issued pit-crew suspensions to two Cup Series teams Tuesday for detached wheels during this past Sunday’s AutoTrader EchoPark Automotive 400 at Texas Motor Speedway.

The following teams received the penalties, per NASCAR.com:

– No. 3 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet: Josh Sobecki (jack) and Michael Johnson (rear-tire changer)
– No. 51 Rick Ware Racing Ford: Matthew Schlytter (jack) and Coleman Dollarhide (rear-tire changer)

Each team violated Section 8.8.10.4.C of the NASCAR Rule Books, which states “loss or separation of an improperly installed tire/wheel from the vehicle during the event.”

Under the new rule, enacted ahead of the 2023 season, each pit-crew member will receive a two-race suspension. Prior to the rule change, a four-race suspension was handed down to the offending team’s crew chief.

The No. 3 team, piloted by Austin Dillon, had a tough day at Texas, finishing 36th. It’s the fourth time in the last six races Dillon has finished 30th or worse. Dillon sits 29th in the points standings, one year removed from making the Cup Series playoffs.

“Yeah, we had a loose wheel,” Dillon said after the race, via NBC Sports. “It stinks… it’s kind of been the way our year has gone. Coming off of Turn 2, it’s a little slick there getting up to speed. I didn’t really think it was a loose wheel, but it was really loose, which could have given me a little bit of a hint. But I got down into Turns 3 and 4, you can just see the wheel comes off. It’s unfortunate.”

Todd Gilliland perplexed by new NASCAR rule

Like Dillon, Todd Gilliland, driver for the No. 51 Chevrolet, had an unfortunate day. He finished just one spot ahead of Dillon, with the loose wheel infraction ruining his chances of registering a strong run. Gilliland wasn’t too happy with NASCAR ending his race early after the loose wheel violation.

“That’s one thing I just don’t understand, it’s like a new rule,” Gilliland said. “If you spin, hit something, and can’t drive back to your pit stall on your own, you’re just done. But it’s so hard in a situation like that. I feel like we could have easily just came in, changed a tire, and went back but I don’t know. I think you know, partially, it is on me to understand completely every single move but that one just completely doesn’t make sense to me.”