NASCAR Suspends Two Crew Members After Ross Chastain Wheel Detaches During Cup Series Race at COTA

NASCAR has suspended two crew members from Ross Chastain’s No. 1 Cup Series team after a wheel detached from the car during the race at Circuit of the Americas on March 1, 2026. Officials confirmed the suspensions in the league’s post-race penalty report following the road course event in Austin, Texas. The incident occurred during the green flag portion of the race and triggered an automatic safety penalty under NASCAR’s rules governing tire and wheel installation.

According to officials, the issue surfaced on lap 75 when the right-rear wheel separated from Chastain’s car while the race remained under green flag conditions. NASCAR determined the wheel had been improperly installed during a pit stop earlier in the race. The detached wheel immediately created a dangerous situation on the road course, forcing officials and teams to react quickly as the loose component entered the racing surface.

Race officials treat detached wheels as a serious safety issue because they can pose a hazard to other competitors traveling at high speed. When a wheel comes loose under green flag conditions, the risk extends beyond the affected team and driver. Other drivers approaching the scene must avoid debris while maintaining control of their cars at racing speeds.

Following a review of the incident, NASCAR issued suspensions to rear-tire changer Kenneth Pozega and jackman Josh Appleby. Both crew members will miss the next two NASCAR Cup Series championship points events. The suspension period runs through the race weekend at Las Vegas Motor Speedway scheduled for March 15, 2026.

The penalty falls under NASCAR rule sections governing tires and wheels, specifically addressing situations where a tire or wheel becomes detached due to improper installation during a race. Under the rulebook, a wheel separation during an event automatically results in a suspension for the crew members responsible for the tire change. NASCAR enforces the rule strictly to maintain safety standards during pit stops, which are among the most intense and time-sensitive moments in a race weekend.

Pit stops in NASCAR involve highly choreographed work performed in seconds. Crew members leap over the wall and complete multiple tasks simultaneously, including lifting the car, removing lug nuts, installing fresh tires, and sending the driver back into traffic as quickly as possible. Even a small mistake during this process can create serious consequences once the car returns to racing speed.

When a wheel is not properly secured, the centrifugal forces and vibrations generated at racing speed can quickly loosen it. Once the vehicle returns to the track, the wheel can detach entirely, sending a heavy component rolling across the racing surface. NASCAR’s enforcement policy is designed to prevent these scenarios by holding pit crew members accountable for installation errors.

The suspension means Trackhouse Racing will need to adjust its pit crew lineup for the next two Cup Series events. Teams typically rely on specialized crew members trained for specific roles, meaning replacements must step into high-pressure positions during upcoming races. Pit crew performance often plays a critical role in race outcomes, particularly on tracks where track position and quick service can determine a driver’s ability to compete for a win.

For Chastain and the No. 1 team, the detached wheel represented a major disruption during the race weekend at Circuit of the Americas. Road course events already demand precise strategy and execution due to their complex layouts and extended braking zones. Any unexpected mechanical issue or pit stop mistake can dramatically alter the course of a race.

The Circuit of the Americas track, located in Austin, features a challenging road course layout that requires drivers to manage multiple elevation changes and technical corners. Pit strategy and flawless service become especially important on these circuits, where track position can be difficult to regain once lost.

The wheel separation not only impacted Chastain’s race but also triggered NASCAR’s automatic safety response and post-race review process. Officials examine incidents involving loose wheels closely to determine whether installation procedures were followed correctly. Once the review determined the wheel had not been properly secured, the suspension penalties were applied according to the rulebook.

NASCAR confirmed that the penalties apply only to the Cup Series crew members involved in the No. 1 team’s pit stop. The sanctioning body did not announce any additional fines or points deductions related to the incident. The discipline issued focused solely on the crew members responsible for the tire change that led to the wheel detaching during the race.

In the same penalty report, NASCAR stated that no penalties were issued in the Truck Series or the O’Reilly Series following the weekend’s events. The report confirmed that the Cup Series suspensions were the only disciplinary actions taken after the race weekend at Circuit of the Americas.

Detached wheel penalties have become one of the most consistent enforcement actions in modern NASCAR competition. The rule has been in place for several seasons and is designed to reinforce the importance of secure wheel installation during pit stops. Teams understand that any mistake during a tire change carries the risk of immediate suspensions for the crew members involved.

As the Cup Series moves forward on the schedule, the No. 1 team will compete without Pozega and Appleby for the next two championship points events. The suspensions remain in effect until after the race weekend at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on March 15. Once that event concludes, both crew members will be eligible to return to their roles on Chastain’s pit crew.

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