For the next two points-paying NASCAR Cup Series events, Austin Cindric and Team Penske will be without two of the team’s usual pit crew members, after a penalty was issued to the team following Sunday’s AdventHealth 400 at Kansas.
Keiston France and Patrick Gray will sit out NASCAR Cup Series events at Darlington Raceway and Charlotte Motor Speedway.
According to NASCAR’s Penalty Report, released on Tuesday, the No. 2 Ford Mustang was in violation of Sections 8.8.10.4.A & C of the NASCAR Cup Series Rule Book, which pertains to the loss or separation of an improperly installed tire/wheel from the vehicle.
Cindric, in his second full season in the NASCAR Cup Series with Team Penske, lost his right-front wheel on lap 109, which caused his Freightliner Ford Mustang to smack the outside wall with significant force.
As the second-year driver approached turn three, everything blew into several additional smaller pieces, littering the track with debris, and leaving Cindric behind as he attempted to limp to pit road.
Another wheel on the run today. https://t.co/GDTrKr1zPs pic.twitter.com/JvrsAl8Rr2
— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) May 7, 2023
The penalty for the loss of a wheel – should it happen on the track – has been amended for this season, and now only includes a two-race suspension to the jackman and the responsible tire changer.
As of the time of publishing, Team Penske has yet to name its two replacement crew members, nor has the entry’s team roster for Darlington been updated to reflect said changes.
After the incident, Cindric’s afternoon was derailed, relegating him to a finish of 31st place, seven laps off the pace of the leaders. Entering Darlington, Cindric sits 21st in NASCAR Cup Series points.
