Another week brings another crew chief being suspended by NASCAR after violating the revised policy stating all lug nuts must be securely fastened to a car.
The latest penalty issued by NASCAR came Wednesday, when Kyle Larson’s crew chief Chad Johnston was suspended one race and fined $20,000 after Larson’s No. 42 car was found to have missing lug nuts following Monday’s race at Pocono Raceway.
Chip Ganassi Racing will not appeal Johnston’s penalty, with the crew chief sitting out Sunday’s race at Michigan International Speedway.
Johnston is the fourth crew chief suspended one race for a lug nut-related infraction since NASCAR revised its policy April 25, requiring the maximum five lug nuts be secured before a car leaves pit road. Kyle Busch’s crew chief, Adam Stevens, was suspended May 11, while Kurt Busch and A.J. Allmendinger each had their crew chiefs suspended last week. Kurt Busch won Monday’s rain-delayed Pocono event with crew chief Tony Gibson home in North Carolina serving his penalty.
NASCAR began stringently enforcing the tightening of all lug nuts after several drivers, most notably Tony Stewart, implored the sanctioning body to do so following a rash of loose wheels brought about by pit crews trying to save time on pit road. To get their drivers back on the track quicker, teams were routinely applying four lug nuts, and in some cases three.
Mindful of the consequences if a wheel came off, Stewart vehemently said NASCAR was taking chances with the safety of drivers and spectators alike. NASCAR fined Stewart $35,000 for his comments, though updated its rule five days later.
