CHARLOTTE, N.C. – July 29, 2025 — NASCAR has issued two-race suspensions to two pit crew members from Legacy Motor Club’s No. 43 team following a safety breach in Sunday’s Cup Series race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway .
🛠️ Crew Members Penalized
Kellen Mills, the jackman John Rosselli, the front-tire changer
Both were found responsible for failing to securely install the right-front wheel, which detached from the car during a pit stop and rolled on the racing surface—a serious violation of NASCAR Rule Book Sections 8.8.10.4.A & C, concerning improperly installed tires/wheels .
⚠️ Incident Summary
During lap 90 of 168, Jones’s car rejoined the race after a caution-period pit stop. Within a couple of laps, the right-front wheel came loose, causing a crash in Turn 3. Jones, evidently unable to control the car, hit the wall and ended the race in 36th place, despite starting as high as third .
Because the wheel failure occurred on the track, NASCAR issued an automatic two-lap penalty during the race and assessed the crew suspensions—standard protocol for such infractions .
📅 Suspension Duration & Details
The suspension covers the upcoming two NASCAR Cup Series races:
This weekend at Iowa Speedway Following weekend at Watkins Glen International
Mills and Rosselli will be eligible to return at the Cup Series season finale in Phoenix on November 10 .
🔄 Team Adjustments
Legacy Motor Club will fill the vacant pit crew roles with replacements for the next two events. While NASCAR has not confirmed names publicly yet, precedent suggests backup crew or cross-assigned personnel will step in to ensure car safety and compliance.
📌 Broader Context
This is not an isolated case — NASCAR has consistently enforced strict penalties for wheel detachments. A similar suspension was issued earlier this season when a vehicle lost a tire during a race under caution at Las Vegas Speedway, resulting in suspensions of the responsible crew members for two races .
🧭 Looking Ahead
Immediate Impact: The No. 43 team competes at Iowa and Watkins Glen without its regular jackman and front-tire changer. Safety Implications: NASCAR’s enforcement underscores zero tolerance for mistakes affecting on-track safety. Season Outlook: Erik Jones’ car, already hampered by the crash and penalties, will rely on new crew alignments during this suspension window.
NASCAR’s swift action highlights its commitment to safety and strict compliance with pit crew standards—especially in high-pressure, high-speed environments.
