Video: Wheel Flies Off Bubba Wallace’s Car in Turn 16 on Lap 45 at COTA

UPDATE #1

After replay from FOX of the No. 23 being towed back to the pit area, it was obviously the left rear wheel that flew off, not the left front. This would mean rear tire changer Adam Riley would serve the four-race suspension, not front tire changer Michael Louria.

ORIGINAL STORY

Bubba Wallace saw his day take an unfortunate turn on lap 45, when the left front wheel and tire flew off on his No. 23 Leidos Toyota Camry heading into turn 16.

In video from FOX, you could see the single lug nut pop off of the wheel, before the wheel dislodged from the car.

Here is video of the wheel flying off of Wallace’s car.

That's not good … ? https://t.co/OG7Poz8TgM pic.twitter.com/Q01oVfEVVJ

— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) March 27, 2022

Wallace, who scored a Stage Point by finishing 10th in Stage 2 earlier in the race, was running outside the top-20 at the time of this incident. Fortunately, Wallace was able to keep from turning the No. 23 car around.

Per NASCAR rules, the wheel flying off will lead to a four-race suspension for Wallace’s crew chief Bootie Barker as his front tire changer Michael Louria and jackman Caleb Dirks.

This race was the first of the 2022 season on Wallace’s team for Louria. Bryan Backus had served as Wallace’s front tire changer for the entirety of the 2022 season before Sunday at COTA.