During the fourth caution of a recent race, the AutoTrader EchoPark Automotive 400, Kyle Larson’s vehicle had a mechanical issue. Specifically, his right rear wheel came loose after a continuous run of 18 laps under the green flag.
This unexpected incident resulted in a two-lap penalty being imposed on Larson.
Consequently, Larson, who was at the forefront of the race at that moment, was relegated from the leading position to the 33rd spot due to this penalty.
Key Takeaways
- During a pause in the race, Kyle Larson’s car experienced a mechanical failure where the right rear wheel came off after a series of 18 laps under normal racing conditions.
- This mishap led to a penalty of two laps for Larson, causing him to drop from his leading position to the 33rd spot in the race.
- The racer managed to get his Chevrolet back to the pit road without further complications, but his standing in the race was significantly affected by the penalty.
What Happened To Kyle Larson? Penalty Details
During the AutoTrader EchoPark Automotive 400, Kyle Larson experienced a mechanical failure. His right rear wheel detached after an 18-lap run under the green flag.
This incident led to a two-lap penalty, causing Larson to drop from the lead to the 33rd position.
“Sorry, boys. Just got in that bump and it took off.”- Michael McDowell is done for the day pic.twitter.com/rCDbeqg5oU
— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) April 14, 2024
On Sunday at Texas Motor Speedway, Larson was leading the race, having led 77 of the 114 laps run up to that point.
The race was under caution due to Carson Hocevar, a rookie, spinning out from the 23rd position.
The racer, sensing something amiss, radioed his team about a potential issue with his tire.
As it turned out, his intuition was correct, but it was not a deflating tire; it was disconnecting.
The field had just completed 18 laps under the green flag when the caution slowed Larson’s momentum.
Kyle Larson Was Leading The Race Before
The renowned racer had been leading the field by a comfortable 1.5 seconds. The cause of the tire detachment remains a mystery.
Historically, in the era of single-lug nuts, tires tend to come off shortly after a tire change.
A recent example is Chris Buescher, who lost his tire while racing at full speed in the Penzoil 400.
“That is a massive, massive moment in this race.”- @KevinHarvick https://t.co/aaerbDWXAX pic.twitter.com/HPJlpvPy1S
— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) April 14, 2024
After serving his penalty, Larson rejoined the field on lap 120. However, he did not receive the lucky dog pass on this caution.
Later, Michael McDowell spun out while vying for the lead with Ross Chastain. This incident allowed Larson to gain back one lap before the late Stage 2 restart.
Entering the final stage, Larson had only two sets of tires left. Even after returning to the lead lap, he had to navigate through the mid-pack chaos.
With just six laps remaining, Larson triggered the 13th caution of the race, just as his teammate Chase Elliott overtook Denny Hamlin for the lead.
Why Did Kyle Larson Get Penalty?
According to NASCAR rules, a driver who loses a wheel on the track must serve a two-lap penalty.
Additionally, two crew members will have to sit out for at least two race weekends.
In auto racing, it’s crucial for the safety of all participants that the cars are maintained to a high standard.
If a wheel detaches during a race, it can pose a significant risk not only to the driver of the car but also to other drivers on the track.
Therefore, NASCAR has rules in place to penalize teams if their car loses a wheel during a race.
Therefore, the penalty serves as a reminder to all teams of the importance of car maintenance and safety.
