JRM No. 88 Crew Chief Suspended One Race After Nashville Lug-Nut Penalty

JR Motorsports’ No. 88 crew chief, Mardy Lindley, has been suspended for one race following a post-race inspection at Nashville Superspeedway. The penalty comes after NASCAR officials found two unsecured lug nuts on the No. 88 Chevrolet driven by rookie Connor Zilisch, a violation under NASCAR’s rule book Section 8.8.10.4a, which covers tires and wheels regulations.

In addition to the suspension, the team also faces a $10,000 fine, applying extra pressure as the Xfinity Series heads into the heart of its season.

Zilisch finished in second place during the Tennessee Lottery 250, just behind teammate Justin Allgaier, marking his second runner-up finish in a row and moving up to fifth in the series standings. Despite the strong on-track performance, the infraction quickly brought attention away from the podium to the team’s post-race compliance.

NASCAR confirmed that Lindley’s suspension will be served at the event scheduled for June 21 at Pocono Raceway. With the Xfinity Series idle this weekend, Zilisch and the No. 88 team will return to competition on June 14 in Mexico City, giving them some time to regroup amid these developments.

NASCAR’s rules mandate strict adherence to tire and wheel safety, requiring all lug nuts to be properly secured after every race. Unsecured lug nuts can lead to safety concerns, and teams found in violation commonly face suspensions and fines, reinforcing the importance of consistent pit stop performance throughout the season.

Penalties like this can have a big impact on a team’s momentum, especially when a driver is building on strong results and looking to move up in the standings.

The No. 88 car has emerged as a contender this year, with Zilisch picking up multiple strong finishes against experienced competition. Although the suspension keeps Lindley off the pit box for one race, it does not affect Zilisch’s points or eligibility for the playoffs.

JRM will likely appoint an interim crew chief for the race in Pocono, aiming to maintain recent performance and avoid disruption to the team’s routine.

The rest of the Xfinity Series field will be watching to see if the No. 88 team can keep pace amid these setbacks. With two second-place finishes in a row, Zilisch has proven he can compete with the best in the series.

The young driver’s next outing offers another opportunity to solidify his position in the standings and continue what has been a standout season for JR Motorsports.

As the series heads into a break before racing resumes in Mexico City, teams across the garage remain focused on compliance and performance. The outcome of this penalty highlights NASCAR’s continued efforts to uphold safety and fairness while teams work toward their championship goals.