Since the beginning of on-track activity this season for the NASCAR Cup Series, improperly secured wheels have been a topic of discussion, with the Next Gen car’s transition to the single lug nut wheel, rather than the five lug nut wheel the series has used for decades.
The penalty has already caught out many teams, including Kaulig Racing, Front Row Motorsports, Spire Motorsports, and The Money Team Racing, and the latest to feel the wrath of NASCAR’s punishment is 23XI Racing.
On the 46th lap of Sunday’s EchoPark Automotive Grand Prix at Circuit of The Americas – just after exiting pit road — Bubba Wallace’s No. 23 Toyota Camry lost its left-rear tire heading into turn 16, ultimately drawing a caution flag.
As a result of the improperly secured wheel, the second-year team will lose crew chief Bootie Barker, along with jackman, Caleb Dirks, and rear tire changer, Adam Riley, for the next four NASCAR Cup Series championship events.
At the time of publishing, 23XI Racing has yet to determine who serves as the interim crew chief of the No. 23 Toyota Camry, or if the organization will appeal the penalty
