NASCAR imposed penalties on Trackhouse Racing after a right-rear tire detached from Ross Chastain’s No. 1 Chevrolet during the Circuit of the Americas (COTA) race. This dangerous tire loss happened on Lap 75 under green-flag conditions, prompting suspensions for two pit crew members in accordance with NASCAR regulations.
On Tuesday, NASCAR announced that rear-tire changer Kenneth Pozega and jackman Josh Appleby will be suspended for the next two Cup Series events. This enforcement follows Section 8.8.10.4 A&D of the NASCAR Rule Book, which dictates a two-race suspension and a two-lap penalty for a lost tire beyond pit road. As a result, Chastain’s team was immediately penalized two laps during the race, significantly impacting their performance and final result.
Trackhouse’s Strategy to Cover Pit Crew Gaps for Upcoming Races
Trackhouse Racing must now fill the critical pit crew roles for the straight Talk Wireless 400 at Phoenix Raceway and the Pennzoil 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Reporter Bob Pockrass disclosed that Deonte Wilson, currently a tire carrier on Parker Retzlaff’s O’Reilly series crew, will step in as jackman. Ben Weber, also part of the same team’s pit crew, will take over as rear-tire changer.
Despite their existing involvement in Trackhouse’s lower-tier racing operations, Wilson and Weber face a tough challenge adapting to the faster, higher-pressure environment of the Cup Series. Maintaining pit stop chemistry is crucial, and losing regular crew members disrupts the rhythm drivers and teams rely on for efficient tire changes and car adjustments during the race.
Implications of the Penalties and Challenges Ahead for Trackhouse Racing
Missing two consecutive Cup Series races is a significant setback for any pit crew, especially given the importance of cohesion in these roles. Pozega and Appleby will be sidelined through the Phoenix and Las Vegas events, returning only for the March 22 race at Darlington Raceway. During their absence, Trackhouse will operate with a patched crew, seeking to minimize the impact on Chastain’s race performances and championship standings.
The tire incident represents a serious infraction NASCAR monitors closely due to the safety risks posed by loose tires at racing speeds. While the cause—whether mechanical fault or human error during the pit stop—remains under internal review at Trackhouse, the sport’s governing body acted swiftly and decisively to enforce its safety protocols.
Ross Chastain, known for being central to many pivotal Cup moments, endured a disappointing day at COTA, finishing 35th after the tire failure disrupted his race. The incident marks another challenging episode in his career, intensifying pressure on Trackhouse Racing as they regroup for the season’s next phases.
With the team now preparing for Phoenix and Las Vegas amidst these hurdles, their focus turns to steadying the ship before the suspended crew members return at Darlington later this month, hoping to recover lost ground in the competitive Cup Series standings.
Filling in for the suspended over-the-wall crew members for Ross Chastain (wheel came off at COTA):
Jack-Deonte Wilson
Rear Changer-Ben Weber
…they both work on the Trackhouse crew that does the Parker Retzlaff car in OReilly (Wilson does tire carrier duties there)— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) March 5, 2026
