Joe Gibbs Racing suspends two Martin Truex Jr. crewmen

Joe Gibbs Racing on Wednesday suspended two crewmen from Martin Truex Jr.’s Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series team who were involved in an incident with Kyle Busch crew chief Adam Stevens.

Rear tire changer Lee Cunningham and front tire changer Chris Taylor were each sanctioned for three races, JGR spokesman Chris Helein confirmed to USA TODAY Sports. The incident stemmed from a crash with 50 laps left in the Brickyard 400 on Sunday in which points leader Truex made contact with race-leader Busch on a restart, wrecking both. Busch had led 87 laps hunting a first victory of the season.

Fox Sports 1 replays showed Cunningham clapping and shouting “Tell Kyle ‘way to go’,” as Stevens walked past Truex’s Furniture Row Racing pit box afterward. Stevens approached and began an aggressive verbal exchange before Taylor entered and pushed the crew chief away, saying, “I don't care who you are. I don't give a [expletive] who you are. Get out of my box."

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This situation was more complicated than the usual racing disagreement in that FRR is an affiliate of JGR and leases pit crews from its fellow Toyota team.

FRR owner Barney Visser said in a release: "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."

Kip Wolfmeier and John Royer will replace the suspended crewmen.