Ross Chastain appeared set for a strong finish at the Circuit of the Americas (COTA) after starting just outside the front row and winning Stage 1, but a dramatic incident involving a detached wheel near the race’s end led to significant consequences. Following a spin at Turn 19 that caused the right-rear wheel to come loose, NASCAR penalized Chastain during the race and later suspended key crew members from upcoming events due to safety violations linked to the loose wheel issue.
Chastain’s Crash and Its Consequences During the Race
As Chastain was competing for a top ten position after the final green-flag pit stop, his car abruptly spun entering Turn 19, sending it through the gravel and causing the right-rear wheel to disconnect. Despite the wheel detaching, Chastain maintained control and returned to the pit lane without stalling. The loose wheel forced NASCAR to deploy the only caution flag of the entire race. Chastain was held on pit road for two laps under a standard in-race penalty and eventually finished 35th, unable to recover lost ground during the prolonged green-flag run.
Crew Suspensions Following Post-Race Review
After reviewing the incident, NASCAR imposed suspensions on two members of the #1 Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet team, jackman Josh Appleby and rear tire changer Kenneth Pozega. Both will be sidelined for the upcoming races at Phoenix Raceway and Las Vegas Motor Speedway. This marks a rare penalty for the team, as it is the first loose wheel penalty they have received since the Next Gen car was introduced in 2022.
Context of Loose Wheel Penalties in NASCAR
Since the Next Gen car’s debut, approximately 60 loose wheel penalties have been issued, all aimed at enforcing safety standards. However, this was the only penalty reported for the weekend’s Cup and Truck series events at COTA and St. Pete, highlighting the rarity of such infractions at these races.
Implications for Safety and Team Operations
The suspension of Appleby and Pozega underscores NASCAR’s stringent enforcement of wheel safety protocols to prevent dangerous situations on the track. For Trackhouse Racing, losing two crucial crew members for two consecutive race weekends poses a significant challenge, potentially affecting their performance and consistency going forward. The incident also serves as a cautionary reminder of the importance of pit crew precision and NASCAR’s commitment to driver and track safety.
“We want your opinion!” – Motorsport.com Team
There's been 60 detached wheels in the @NASCAR Cup Series for #NASCAR #NextGen car.
10 of those 60 have been from one team, @JoeGibbsRacing.
The active team that has had gone the longest without a detached wheel? @KauligRacing, last having one detach in the 2023 #DuelatDaytona. pic.twitter.com/njl0qd5Tsz
— Seth Eggert (@SethEggert91) March 3, 2026
