'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Richard Childress Racing has announced pit crew replacements for Austin Dillon's #3 Chevy team after NASCAR penalized the team for a loose wheel incident during the Round of 12 cut-off race at Charlotte Roval.
In the final stage of the race, the left front tire on Dillon's #3 Chevy came loose after a pit stop, leading to the final caution period. As a result, front-tire changer Joshua Thomas and jackman Nick Covey received a two-race suspension and will miss the upcoming weekends at Las Vegas Motor Speedway (Oct. 20) and Homestead-Miami Speedway (Oct. 27).
Fox Sports reporter Bob Pockrass shared on X (formerly Twitter) that Michael Johnson will serve as the front tire changer, and Garrett Crall as the jackman on Dillon's crew. Pockrass noted that the substitutes are part of Richard Childress Racing and service Kaulig Racing's third entry (#13) on select weekends.
"Austin Dillon has Michael Johnson as front tire changer and Garrett Crall as jackman to replace those suspended. Johnson & Crall were on 13 Cup car last wk (an RCR crew on Kaulig's third car). ... Also Briscoe keeps the Berry pit crew that went over to him earlier in playoffs," Pockrass wrote on X.
Richard Childress Racing faced pit road struggles earlier this season, with repeated issues on Kyle Busch's #8 team. The recurring pit road issues led to weekly roster changes, but the pit crew has made noticeable progress since those early-season setbacks.
Dillon was classified 32nd last weekend at Charlotte Roval, while his teammate Busch clinched a 13th place result.
Austin Dillon laments "unbelievable luck" after Roval disappointment
Austin Dillon started 22nd on the grid at the Roval but was spun around in Stage 2 at the notorious Turn 7. Despite losing track position, the #3 Chevy driver rallied through the field, only to be set back by a loose wheel during the final scheduled pit stop.
Dillon was held for two laps by NASCAR officials and had to settle for a 32nd place result. Speaking to NBC Sports after the race, the 34-year-old RCR driver said:
"Our #3 Chevrolet team fought hard at the Charlotte Motor Speedway Roval, but nothing went our way today. Our luck was unbelievable. We got turned around in Stage 1 and lost a lot of track position. We worked our way back through the field and were running sixth in the final stage and in position for a good points day. Unfortunately, after the final stop of the day, NASCAR held us for two laps when we lost a tire on the track."
With four weekends remaining in the NASCAR season, Austin Dillon is currently 28th in the drivers' standings. The Cup Series returns to Las Vegas Motor Speedway this weekend, where the #3 Chevy driver secured a 16th place finish earlier in the year.
