NASCAR confirm severe PUNISHMENT after Kyle Larson incident

Former NASCAR Cup Series champion Kyle Larson has seen his No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports team handed a severe punishment after an incident at the Circuit of the Americas (COTA) on Sunday.

The race at COTA represented the first road course event of the season, and it proved to be exciting, with a shortened track layout delivering in terms of entertainment.

READ MORE: NASCAR Results Today: Kyle Busch suffers INSANE penalty as Team Penske star dominates

READ MORE: NASCAR Race Today: Phoenix start times, schedule and how to watch live on TV

The race was eventually won by Christopher Bell in the No.20 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota, with Larson finishing well down the order in P32.

There was a reason for this, however. Towards the end of stage two, Larson lost his right front wheel shortly after a pit stop, resulting in an immediate two-lap penalty.

READ MORE: NASCAR Cup Series 2025: Phoenix starting lineup with penalties applied

NASCAR announce Kyle Larson team ban

Unfortunately for Larson and the No. 19 team, the two-lap penalty is not the only punishment they are set to receive for losing their wheel.

In an official statement on Wednesday, NASCAR announced that the incident had been considered a safety violation under Sections 8.8.10.4.A&C: Tires and Wheels of the NASCAR Rule Book.

As a result, the No. 5 team will now be without jackman Brandon Johnson and front tire changer Blaine Anderson after they were both banned for two races.

Erik Ludwig and Jafar Hall are set to step up to the No. 5 team to fill their places this weekend at Phoenix, with Ludwig set to be on jackman duties and Hall on tires.

READ MORE: NASCAR Cup Series 2025: Phoenix start times, schedule and how to watch live on TV

Related

NASCAR Cup Series

Ross Chastain issues damning team verdict as star PUZZLED by 'terrible performance'

• Today 01:23

NASCAR Cup Series

Chase Elliott risks controversy with brutally honest NASCAR statement

• Today 00:00