The teams of drivers Justin Haley and Aric Almirola have been penalized by NASCAR for infractions during last weekend’s events at Phoenix Raceway.
Trent Owens, crew chief for Haley’s Kauling Racing No. 31, has been fined $100,000 and suspended from the next four Cup Series races for modification of the car’s radiator duct. The team and Haley also have been assessed with the loss of 100 points and 10 playoff points. The infraction was discovered during pre-qualifying inspection.
NASCAR suspended two of Almirola’s Stewart Haas Racing team members — Ryan Mulder and Sean Cotten — after Almirola’s car lost a wheel during the Phoenix race.
The right front wheel came off Almirola’s Ford near the halfway point of the race. He hit the frontstretch outside wall and limped into the pits.
“I never felt the wheel loose or anything,” Almirola said after the race. “It just took off on me and sent me into the wall.”
Almirola returned to the race but finished 33rd, four laps behind the leaders.
Almirola’s team became the second to be penalized for a wandering wheel this year. Two members of Martin Truex Jr.’s pit crew were suspended after his car lost a wheel at Auto Club Speedway in the season’s second race.
