NASCAR issued its first post-race penalties of the season on Tuesday, March 3. The penalty hits the No. 1 Trackhouse Racing team of Ross Chastain. Let’s just say that when a wheel comes off the car, it is no good sign for anyone involved. Chastain was not directly awarded a penalty, but he will lose two pit crew members.
Josh Appleby (Jackman) and Kenneth Pozega (Rear Tire Changer) have been suspended for the wheel incident. These crew members will miss the next two races (Phoenix, Las Vegas). Of course, they will be replaced by fill-in’s to-be-deteremined.
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Ross Chastain Loses Rear Wheel at COTA
The pit crew for Ross Chastain (#1 Trackhouse Racing Busch Light Chevrolet) races to put on a new set of tires during a pit stop during the NASCAR Cup Series. (Photo by Keith Gillett/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)(Photo by Keith Gillett/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
((Photo by Keith Gillett/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images))
Chastain lost his wheel on Lap 75, under the green flag at Circuit of the Americas. As per NASCAR’s rulebook, any “lost tire beyond pit road will result in [a] two-race suspension for two pit crew members [and] a two-lap penalty.” This is exactly what the No. 1 team is hit with. Chastain is currently 20th in the Driver Standings. They must get-right at Phoenix this upcoming Sunday.
Other Questionable Moments at COTA
Cole Custer Pushes Carson Hocevar Off-Track
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Late in the race, Carson Hocevar was involved in further racing controversy. However, he was the affected party in this scuffle. Cole Custer appeared to nudge Hocevar off into the grass. The video shows it with intent, but NASCAR is very lenient with in-race contact. Since Hocevar was not sent into a barrier, nor was he blatantly spun, Custer moves on unpenalized.
Hocevar is known as a driver who gets into scuffles quite often. To see the No. 77 be sent off-track by someone like Custer is no surprise to anyone. It is unknown what caused the issue. However, Custer was clearly aggravated about something, so yes, they generated talk around the post-race conversation. However, nothing happens, and going forward, nothing is likely to happen between the two unless racing demands it.
This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Mar 4, 2026, where it first appeared in the Racing section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
