Suspensions Follow Wheel Detachment Incident in Bristol Race
NASCAR has suspended two members of Denny Hamlin’s Joe Gibbs Racing pit crew following a significant incident during the recent Cup Series race at Bristol. The right-front wheel of Hamlin’s No. 11 Toyota detached on lap 384, colliding with AJ Allmendinger’s No. 16 Kaulig Racing Chevrolet and necessitating a caution period.
As a result of the incident, NASCAR imposed an immediate two-lap penalty on Hamlin. Following an internal review, the organization confirmed that front tire changer Austin Maloney and jack man Joel Bouagnon will be sidelined for the upcoming races at New Hampshire and Kansas Speedway.
In related developments, the No. 47 Hyak Motorsports Chevrolet and No. 71 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet were both cleared for competition after undergoing additional inspection at NASCAR’s Research and Development Center in Concord, NC.
