Watch: Wheels literally fall off for Larson in NASCAR race at COTA

Kyle Larson. Jason Allen-Imagn Images

Watch: Wheels literally fall off for Kyle Larson in NASCAR race at COTA

By Samuel Stubbs | Last updated Mar 2, 2025 5:32 PM ET

Unfortunately for 2021 NASCAR Cup Series champion Kyle Larson, the phrase, "the wheels are falling off" became reality on Sunday afternoon.

Larson pitted just before the end of Stage 2 during Sunday's EchoPark Automotive Grand Prix at Circuit of the Americas, but it became apparent that the No. 5 team's pit stop was unusually slow.

When Larson went back out onto the track, his right-front tire came off of his No. 5 Chevrolet, forcing Larson to limp back to pit road on three wheels.

Well, that's not good. Kyle Larson's wheel fell off. pic.twitter.com/nFPkI2yP4E
— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) March 2, 2025

Larson finished Stage 2 two laps down in 37th, as NASCAR rules stipulate that any team that loses a wheel under green-flag conditions must be held for two laps.

Unfortunately for Larson, the incident will have long-term ramifications as well, as a two-week suspension for two crew members follows the two-lap penalty. That means Larson will likely be without two members of his usual pit crew for the March 9 race at Phoenix Raceway and the March 16 race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

Samuel Stubbs

Hailing from the same neck of the woods as NASCAR Hall of Famer Mark Martin, Samuel has been covering NASCAR for Yardbarker since February 2024. He has been a member of the National Motorsports Press Association (NMPA) since October of 2024. When he’s not writing about racing, Samuel covers Arkansas Razorback basketball for Yardbarker

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