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Clint Bowyer crew chief faces one-race suspension

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Brad Keselowski holds off Denny Hamlin to win at New Hampshire Motor Speedway for his third NASCAR Cup Series victory of the season.

Clint Bowyer crew chief John Klausmeier faces a one-race suspension because Bowyer’s car had two lug nuts not safe and secure after Sunday’s Cup race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.

The Cup rule book states that having two lug nuts not safe and secure is a one-race suspension for the crew chief and a $20,000 fine.

That will mean Klausmeier will miss Saturday’s race at Michigan International Speedway with the one-race suspension. That race is the first of a doubleheader weekend next week for the Cup Series. Klausmeier will be able to return to the pit box for next Sunday’s race at Michigan.

The penalty comes as Bowyer is 12th in points. Because two drivers outside the top 16 have wins this season and are locked in playoff spots, Bowyer is 14th in the playoff grid. He is 28 points ahead of William Byron, who holds what would be the final playoff spot with six races left in the regular season.

Bowyer finished 18th Sunday.

NASCAR also announced that the cars of winner Brad Keselowski, Martin Truex Jr. and Tyler Reddick each had one lug nut not safe and secure after the race. Each of the crew chiefs for those teams faces a $10,000 fine.

Earlier Sunday, NASCAR suspended the crew chiefs for Bubba Wallace and Corey LaJoie after a pre-race inspection discovered improperly mounted ballast. Those drivers also had to start at the rear. NASCAR also docked 10 driver and owner points for the infraction. Wallace’s crew chief is Jerry Baxter. LaJoie’s crew chief is Ryan Sparks. Wallace finished 23rd. LaJoie finished 35th in the 38-car field.