NASCAR: Bubba’s crew chief suspended for loose tire at COTA

Bootie Barker, crew chief for the No. 23 car driven by Bubba Wallace, has been suspended for the next four Cup Series races, NASCAR announced Tuesday.

Barker, along with jack man Caleb Dirks and rear tire changer Adam Riley, are sidelined after the No. 23 car lost its left rear wheel at Lap 45 at Circuit of the Americas. The infraction violates section 10.5.2.6 of the NASCAR rule book: “Loss or separation of an improperly installed tire/wheel from the vehicle.”