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RICHMOND, VIRGINIA – SEPTEMBER 11: Kyle Larson, driver of the #5 HendrickCars.com Chevrolet, waits on the grid prior to the NASCAR Cup Series Federated Auto Parts 400 Salute to First Responders at Richmond Raceway on September 11, 2021 in Richmond, Virginia. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
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RICHMOND, VIRGINIA – SEPTEMBER 11: Kyle Larson, driver of the #5 HendrickCars.com Chevrolet, waits on the grid prior to the NASCAR Cup Series Federated Auto Parts 400 Salute to First Responders at Richmond Raceway on September 11, 2021 in Richmond, Virginia. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
Would you believe it? NASCAR issued fresh new suspensions for the #5 Hendrick Motorsports team of Kyle Larson because his wheel came off during the race at Sonoma Raceway. And would you believe it? Fans are not happy with the penalty.
The underlying story of this season that has been boiling and boiling has been the suspensions pit crews are getting because of them messing up a pit stop.
On several occasions, crew chiefs, drivers, and experts have suggested NASCAR deals with a bit of leniency in such circumstances simply because the teams haven’t adapted to the new single lug nut system yet.
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NASCAR, as expected, issued four-race suspensions to Kyle Larson crew chief Cliff Daniels, front changer Donnie Tasser and jackman Brandon Johnson for the wheel coming off at Sonoma … Hendrick won't appeal … TBD who will crew chief Larson starting at Nashville.
— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) June 14, 2022
And along with those who have protested against these recurring, harsh suspensions, NASCAR fans have been the most vocal. This was also the story with Larson’s case.
RIDICULOUS…how about zero race suspension or just start in the rear the next race??!!! What is the big deal, I've been going to races for 35 years and never seen a tire go in the stands! It's really a stupid rule🏁
— Chris Lee (@cal83062) June 14, 2022
Nascar needs to go back to the 5 lug nut wheels. There's been way too many lost wheels this season and it's so dangerous for all the drivers because a car could possibly hit the wheel and send it flying through the air and hurt someone. Do something about it Nascar!!!!
— Tricia Deschaine (@tditty52_tricia) June 14, 2022
Should make Knaus crew chief
— Jack Callahan (@Cal915121Jack) June 14, 2022
Which will solve everything. After all, what Larson's team wanted was for the wheel to fall off, it was such an advantage…I'm not shutting up about this til I get some answers. And I'll never get answers. So..
— Elliott Lindamood (@Swinebros666) June 14, 2022
Why not get away from the single lug nut. Why have this problem,it isn’t F1 or Indy car racing. If folks want F1 or Indy car watch that. Maybe next year put air jacks on the car and pull the fenders off.
— Shits&giggles (@Greg_of_Dundalk) June 14, 2022
How can @nascar lack so much common sense? The rule clearly doesn’t apply anymore. Just shows that just because someone has a position in a company, it doesn’t mean that they have the skill set that’s actually required for that position.
— Art Laski (@alaski48) June 15, 2022
— Stanley carr (@StanleyCarr88) June 14, 2022
Kyle Larson feels lucky to have Cliff Daniels as his crew chief
During a point in the Coca-Cola 600, the defending Cup Series champion wasn’t feeling full of motivation. In fact, he was in a pit of self-loathing and began criticizing himself over the radio.
Just then, Cliff Daniels, his crew chief, stepped in.
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Daniels single-handedly, and almost literally, saved the day for the “pouty” #5 driver with his “pep talk.” What followed after was a driven Kyle Larson, who challenged for the win, and almost won.
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AVONDALE, ARIZONA – NOVEMBER 07: Kyle Larson, driver of the #5 HendrickCars.com Chevrolet, and crew chief Cliff Daniels pose for photos after winning the NASCAR Cup Series Championship at Phoenix Raceway on November 07, 2021 in Avondale, Arizona. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
In a recent interview, Larson admitted that Daniels is “super good” at public speaking as well as “saying the right things at the right time.”
He added that it’s good he can trust somebody like that, and for that person to also trust him too, it’s good. “I know that Cliff trusts my abilities and that gives me a lot of confidence,” he continued.
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“I’m fortunate to have Cliff as the leader of our team.”
