Bubba Wallace’s crew chief suspended as a result of Sundays’ race fiasco at COTA

Bubba Wallace’s crew chief suspended as a result of Sundays’ race fiasco at COTA

Bubba Wallace and Bootie Barker

Bubba Wallace who drives the No.23 Toyota Camry for 23X1 Racing ended up losing a wheel during this Sundays’ Echopark Automotive Texas Grand Prix race at COTA. This led to NASCAR suspending his crew chief, Bootie Barker, and 2 other crew members.

Bubba Wallace losing a wheel was a direct violation in the NASCAR rulebooks according to Section 10.5.2.6 which punishes the team for the loss of improperly adjusted wheels. This incident took place during lap 45 leaving Bubba Wallace disqualified.

Bubba Wallace’s crew chief Bootie Barker, jackman Caleb Dirks, and tire changer Adam Riley have faced suspension for the following four cup races. This is the 5th time this season with a team getting rammed with loose wheel penalties.

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“The team will not appeal the decision,” 23X1 Racings statement on the suspension

Bubba Wallace and Kurt Busch
23X1 drivers Bubba Wallace and Kurt Busch

23X1 Racing issued a statement stating that following the recent penalty issued by NASCAR, Dave Rogers, the Performance Director of 23X1 Racing will serve as the acting crew chief for No.23 and that the team has chosen not to appeal the penalty imposed.

“Following the recently issued penalty by NASCAR related to an incident at Circuit of the Americas, Dave Rogers, 23XI Performance Director, will serve as acting crew chief for the No. 23 team. The team will not appeal the decision,” issued 23X1 Racing’s statement.

2022 has been a rollercoaster ride for Bubba Wallace and 23X1 Racing

Bubba Wallace
Bubba Wallace loses a wheel at COTA

Bubba Wallace has had a pretty wild run this year during the NASCAR Cup Series. He is a pretty decent racer and that was evident as he stole P2 during the Daytona 500, he later went on to finish 19th at the Auto Club 400.

During the Pennzoil 400, Bubba Wallace went on to place 25th, and during the Ruoff Mortgage 500 at the Phoenix Raceway, he ended up 22nd and came back better with a P13 at last weeks’ Folds of Honor Quiktrip 500 in Atlanta. As a result of losing a tire mid-race, he remains disqualified during this weeks’ Echopark Automotive Texas Grand Prix.

With Bubba Wallace currently standing 20th in Cup Series, will he be able to grab a spot in the playoffs?

Also read: Denny Hamlin claims ‘Motorsports has changed’ and the ‘stakes are high’ as he congratulates Ross Chastain on his first Cup Series victory