Austin Cindric will be without two of his usual pit crew members for the next two NASCAR Cup Series points-paying events, after his No. 2 Team Penske Ford Mustang was issued a penalty by NASCAR post-Kansas.
Keiston France (front tire changer) and Patrick Gray (jackman) will be absent from their usual roles as pit crew members for Team Penske, starting with Sunday's Goodyear 400 at Darlington, and carrying through the Coca-Cola 600.
Team Penske has yet to update the organization's submitted team roster in order to reflect such changes. At this time, it's unknown who will serve as the interim jackman and front tire changer for the No. 2.
The penalty, per NASCAR's Penalty Report released on Tuesday, came as a result of a violation to Sections 8.8.10.4.A & C of the NASCAR Cup Series Rule Book, which pertains to the loss or separation of an improperly installed tire/wheel from the vehicle.
Cindric, currently in his second season as a full-time NASCAR Cup Series driver, had a problem on-track in the middle of Sunday's 400-mile race, when the right-front wheel caused issues for the No. 2 Ford Mustang, sending him into the wall.
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This season, the penalty for a loss of an improperly secured wheel has been amended to only include a two-race suspension to jackman and tire changer, should the incident happen on-track.
Cindric finished Sunday's race in 31st, seven laps down. The poor result has brought the Team Penske driver down to 21st in NASCAR Cup Series point standings, heading into this weekend's Goodyear 400 at Darlington Raceway.
Photo Courtesy of Ford Performance via NKP
