Mike Wheeler to fill in for Darian Grubb at Joe Gibbs Racing

Following the suspension levied down by NASCAR, Joe Gibbs Racing has announced that Mike Wheeler will be the intern crew chief. Wheeler is currently the lead engineer on the No. 11 FedEx Toyota, having been with Joe Gibbs Racing since 2002. A Graduate of Kettering University, Wheeler will hope to keep the No. 11 team on track to keep them in the top 30 in points so they can qualify for the Chase for the Championship.

RT”@3widemiddle: So thankful to be a part of this @FedEx #11 team! @dennyhamlin@dariangrubb & @MikeCWheeler worked hard to find us speed.”

— Michael Wheeler (@MikeCWheeler) July 27, 2014

NASCAR announced on Tuesday that crew chief Darian Grubb and car chief Wesley Sherrill would be suspended for the next six races, among other penalties, after being found in violation of the rulebook during post-race inspection. Per NASCAR, Grubb and Sherrill broke Section 12-4.5 A (9) of the 2014 NASCAR rule book, which states, “Approved parts that fail or are improperly installed to fail in their intended use of great importance (e.g.; rear wheel well panels that fail and allow air evacuation in the trunk area; oil box cover that fails and allows air evacuation in the driver compartment; shifter boot cover that fails and allows air evacuation through the floor pan)”.

Per NASCAR’s full explanation of the rulebook in their press release, the infraction violated the following:

Joe Gibbs Racing released a statement after NASCAR’s announcement, stating that they are appealing the penalty, but will have their crew chief and car cheif begin their suspension this week with the race at Pocono Raceway.