Two members of Denny Hamlin’s Joe Gibbs Racing pit crew have been suspended after a wheel became detached from the No.11 Toyota during last weekend’s NASCAR Cup Series race at Bristol.
Hamlin’s right-front wheel became detached on lap 384 of 500, sending his car into AJ Allmendinger’s No.16 Kaulig Racing Chevrolet and triggering a caution. Since the incident caused a yellow, Hamlin was issued a two-lap penalty on the spot, and the series has now confirmed that he will also be without Austin Maloney (front tire changer) and Joel Bouagnon (jack) for the next upcoming races at New Hampshire and Kansas Speedway.
Meanwhile., the No.47 Hyak Motorsports Chevrolet and No.71 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet were both given the all-clear on Tuesday after being taken to NASCAR’s Research and Development Center in Concord, NC for additional inspection after the Bristol race.