Race Weekend Central

Cliff Daniels Suspended for Sonoma Lost Wheel

Kyle Larson‘s crew chief Cliff Daniels has been suspended for four NASCAR Cup Series races following the detachment of the team’s wheel during the series’ visit to Sonoma Raceway last Sunday, the sanctioning body announced on June 14.

The infraction comes as a result of an incident the No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports was involved in with 28 laps to go in the 110-lap road course event. Larson’s right front wheel fell off after the race’s final pit stop while under green. The team ended their day in 15th.

In addition to Daniels, crew members Donnie Tasser and Brandon Johnson have been suspended for four events as well. Hendrick Motorsports has not yet announced who will fill in for the absent reigning champion crew chief. It will not attempt to appeal the penalty.

See also
5 Points to Ponder: Is NASCAR Headed Toward A Playoff Conundrum?

Larson has earned one victory so far in 2022 with his win at Auto Club Speedway in late February and has already locked himself into the playoffs. The team sits seventh in the series standings 60 points behind leader Chase Elliott.

In addition to Larson’s penalty, the No. 51 team of Cody Ware has been docked 20 Cup Series team owner and driver points after failing pre-race Sonoma inspection four times.

About the author

Dalton Hopkins began writing for Frontstretch in April 2021. Currently, he is the lead writer for the weekly Thinkin' Out Loud column and one of our lead reporters. Beforehand, he wrote for IMSA shortly after graduating from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in 2019. Simultaneously, he also serves as a First Lieutenant in the US Army.

Follow Dalton on Twitter @PitLaneLT

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