JGR suspends two of Truex's pit crew members for altercation
Joe Gibbs Racing, which employs the pit crew on Martin Truex Jr.’s No. 78 Furniture Row Racing team, has suspended two of its members.
Martin Truex Jr., Furniture Row Racing Toyota
Rusty Jarrett / NKP / Motorsport Images
Following the incident in Sunday’s Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway between JGR driver, Kyle Busch, and Truex – which ended in a wreck while they raced each other for the lead on a restart – Busch’s crew chief, Adam Stevens, went to the No. 78 pit stall.
In a video shown on Fox Sports 1’s “NASCAR Race Hub,” Stevens can be seen approaching one crew member who was sarcastically clapping in his direction. Another No. 78 crewman then intervened and the heated verbal exchange got a bit physical before the two were separated.
On Thursday, a JGR spokesman confirmed that No. 78 crew members Chris Taylor and Lee Cunningham have each been suspended for three races.
Kip Wolfmeier and John Royer will take their respective positions during the suspensions, JGR confirmed.
Truex was going for his fourth Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series win of the season and first in the Brickyard 400, while Busch was trying to end a one-year winless drought and become the first driver in history to win the prestigious race three consecutive times. They finished 33rd and 34th, respectively.
JGR has a technical alliance with FRR, providing car chassis and technical information, as well as providing the team’s pit crew.
Furniture Row Racing team owner, Barney Visser, said in regards to his pit crew: “Our No. 78 pit crew is hired, trained and managed by Joe Gibbs Racing.
“They are one of the best pit crews on the circuit and have kept us up front all season. We admire the talent and dedication of our pit crew and support all of the decisions and actions taken by Joe Gibbs Racing.”
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