We\u2019re not mechanics, but we think that\u2019s supposed to be attached to the race car. <\/p>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
<\/p>\n
Radio transmissions captured the immediate frustration inside the No. 23 camp.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere it [Expletive] went. You\u2019ve got to be [Expletive] kidding me.\u201d<\/p>\n
The timing could not have been worse.<\/p>\n
Wallace had looked comfortable throughout the weekend on NASCAR\u2019s new San Diego street circuit<\/a>. While many drivers struggled to find speed on the demanding 3.4-mile course winding through Naval Base Coronado, Wallace consistently ran near the front and looked capable of contending for a top finish.<\/p>\n The loose wheel didn\u2019t end Wallace\u2019s race, but it created a massive obstacle.<\/p>\n Under NASCAR\u2019s wheel-detachment policy, the No. 23 team was assessed a two-lap penalty. The incident will also result in two crew members serving automatic two-race suspensions.<\/p>\n Instead of fighting for stage points and track position, Wallace suddenly found himself trying to recover from a significant deficit.<\/p>\n The setback was particularly painful given how competitive the No. 23 Toyota had been during the opening portion of the race. Wallace entered the weekend looking to build momentum in both the regular-season standings and the playoff picture, and Sunday\u2019s race appeared to be shaping up as a major opportunity.<\/p>\n Wallace\u2019s misfortune added another dramatic moment to NASCAR\u2019s first-ever Cup Series event at Naval Base Coronado.<\/p>\n The weekend has already delivered plenty of headlines, from Shane van Gisbergen\u2019s pole-winning<\/a> performance to a fan being arrested<\/a> after climbing fencing and entering a restricted area during Saturday\u2019s O\u2019Reilly Series race.<\/p>\n Now, one of Sunday\u2019s biggest stories belongs to Wallace.<\/p>\n His race is far from over, but what had been one of the most promising afternoons of the day suddenly became one of the toughest.<\/p>\n For a driver who looked capable of leaving San Diego with one of his best road-course finishes, the challenge now shifts from contending near the front to salvaging as much as possible before the checkered flag falls.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n \n\t\t\tMaggie MacKenzie<\/strong><\/a> Maggie MacKenzie covers NASCAR for Heavy.com. She previously worked for NASCAR.com, where she reported, wrote, and edited race-weekend coverage and traveled to key events throughout the season. She has more than ten years of experience in sports media and is based in Boston, Massachusetts. More about Maggie MacKenzie<\/a>\t\t<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\nA Costly Setback for the No. 23 Team<\/h2>\n
Another Twist in NASCAR\u2019s Historic San Diego Debut<\/h2>\n