USA Today via Reuters
Jul 3, 2022; Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver Bubba Wallace (23) before the start of the KWIK TRIP 250 at Road America. Mandatory Credit: Mike Dinovo-USA TODAY Sports
USA Today via Reuters
Jul 3, 2022; Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver Bubba Wallace (23) before the start of the KWIK TRIP 250 at Road America. Mandatory Credit: Mike Dinovo-USA TODAY Sports
At the Atlanta Motor Speedway, Christopher Bell was able to sympathize with Bubba Wallace. This was because he became a victim of a bungled pit stop that resulted in a loose wheel. Oddly enough, he did not receive any penalty for the infraction, a fact that many people found bizarre.
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All of his issues came after Joe Gibbs Racing and 23XI Racing swapped the pit crews of Wallace and Bell.
— Corey LaJoie (@CoreyLaJoie) July 12, 2022
Slippery slope…. pic.twitter.com/lgI9YvpYC5
— Alan Cavanna (@AlanCavanna) July 12, 2022
That's ridiculous! Rules are rules and Nascar needs to be consistent. Tire came off and rolled down the pit lane. It was definitely an uncontrolled tire at the least!
— Cheryll Hohne (@cheryll_hohne) July 12, 2022
Many people called out NASCAR for being inconsistent with its ruling. Admittedly, the wheel came off in the pit lane, but many believe that the situation was just as dangerous. This was because the loose wheel was out of control and could have been a safety hazard.
All that not penalizing Bell did was show that there was not much credibility in the regulations.
To everyone’s amusement, among the people who were baffled at the decision to not penalize Bell was Corey LaJoie.
NASCAR fans are unhappy as Bubba Wallace has faced penalties for the same
According to many fans, a lot of other racing series have handed out penalties and suspensions. Some people even called out NASCAR for its inconsistency. This was because Denny Hamlin got penalized for a similar offense, so people wondered why Christopher Bell escaped.
A wheel coming off on pit road is just as dangerous as it is coming off on track
— Luke Smith (1-0) (@xLukeSmithx) July 12, 2022
None of the teams should have been penalized. So much for consistency and credibility. Seens as though NASCAR needs to now make things right with the other teams.
— Jeff Spencer 🇺🇸 (@JeffSpencerWX) July 12, 2022
Most series will give a penalty for a loose or detached wheel. It’s not a four race suspension or anything, but there’s still a penalty. Shouldn’t teams be able to put wheels on car without them falling off?
— Rich 🇺🇦 (@rich_in_mn) July 12, 2022
Apparently, the jackman dropped the car on the tarmac before one of the wheels could be fully attached. As per some observations, the jackman was not changed out like his old colleagues.
WATCH THIS STORY: Bubba Wallace Goes Ballistic with F-Bomb-Laced Outburst at Phoenix
Admittedly, there were some people who felt that penalizing drivers, crew chiefs and pit crews for loose wheels was harsh.
Ridiculous since the 11 got one.
— Do you have WiFi on your @AlaskaAir flight? (@brandonsblog) July 13, 2022
No. Jackman dropped the check without even looking back to check to see if the rear was finished. Watch the video from the Hendrick pit box. Below. Ironically, the Jackman was “not” changed out with the 23 crew. Jackman should be suspended. https://t.co/lFVVmw8Nwi
— Jeremy (@FitJay1983) July 12, 2022
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I feel this is how it should be. Crew chiefs and members don't get suspended for an uncontrolled tire on pit road which is basically the same thing.
— Jordan (@Jordykins_) July 12, 2022
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According to fans, the loose wheels are beyond their control. Many in the NASCAR community also believe that suspending the crew members could make things even worse. This was because they would have to be replaced by less experienced crew members, which could potentially lead to more mistakes.
All in all, NASCAR needs to ensure that they have a proper system in place.
