A late-race mechanical failure triggered a crash that reshaped the playoff picture and forced NASCAR to take swift disciplinary action. Now, just days before the regular-season finale, one top-tier Truck Series team finds itself short-handed. The suspension has landed, and its timing couldn’t be worse.

NASCAR introduced its rear-axle separation rule (Rule 10.5.2.5.G) decades ago. This was brought in to address catastrophic component failures on the track. A tragic 1991 crash at Watkins Glen occurred when J.D. McDuffie lost a wheel spindle in Turn 5, spun into a tire wall, and died instantly. This highlighted the lethal risks of wheel or axle detachment and prompted significant safety reforms.

Recently, a NASCAR penalty took center stage when Truck Series driver and two-time champion Ben Rhodes encountered a rear-axle separation at Watkins Glen, triggering a critical safety incident and foreshadowing NASCAR’s strict response in the following “black-boxed” segment.

A NASCAR penalty given to uphold racing safety

At Watkins Glen, Rhodes suffered a rear-axle failure that sent his No. 99 truck crashing into the wall and precipitated an overtime finish. Under NASCAR precedent, any separation of a chassis component at speed obliges punitive action.

A comparable case occurred in 2024 when an Xfinity team’s car chief received a one-race suspension for a similar rear-axle separation. Dennis Powell of Young’s Motorsports was on the receiving end back then. Likewise, the incident recently triggered the enforcement of that same NASCAR penalty, culminating in a suspension that impacts his team’s performance.

NASCAR handed a one-race suspension to Marshall Hill, the car chief for the No. 99 ThorSport Racing team. Officials said Hill violated Rule 10.5.2.5.G. The penalty came after Rhodes’ truck lost its right-rear axle late in the Watkins Glen race. The part failure caused a heavy crash and brought out a caution.

Among all NASCAR series at Watkins Glen, only the No. 99 Truck Series team received a suspension-level penalty this year.  Hill’s suspension is more than a punishment. It disrupts the No. 99 crew’s rhythm just as the championship fight heats up.

ThorSport Racing made crew-chief changes in June when Doug George moved from the No. 66 to lead Rhodes’ team. Hill joined him from that road-course-ready group. Losing him now could hurt race-day execution and preparation.

Rhodes is a two-time champion, winning titles in 2021 and 2023. He is usually a strong playoff contender, but Watkins Glen dealt him a costly setback. The DNF-type result and the penalty have put his playoff qualification at risk. With Richmond up next, the pressure could not be higher.

Looking ahead, Rhodes finds himself precariously close to the playoff cut line. He is currently trailing Jake Garcia by just 11 points and sliding closer as the series heads into the last regular-season event at Richmond. His past playoff performance is solid, but this year’s championship battle offers little margin for error.

With Hill sidelined, Rhodes faces a mounting challenge. Can he turn adversity into momentum and punch his ticket to the postseason in spite of the disruption? His answer will define whether this penalty haunts or fuels his championship defense.

Ben Rhodes gives his verdict on the Watkins Glen NASCAR race

Ben Rhodes recently described Watkins Glen as “the most difficult truck I’ve ever driven.” On the day, he battled a truck that reacted wildly between throttle and lift before losing a wheel and crashing hard. The mechanical failure abruptly erased his strong stage performance and derailed his playoff hopes.

Now, he shifts focus to Richmond, where every stage point and possibly a win may salvage his championship run. Watkins Glen proved unforgiving with massive curbs, surging G-forces, and blistering speeds that pushed trucks to the limit. This led to rampant attrition across the field. Rhodes highlighted the brutal layout after the race, noting competitors suffered broken axles, engines, and flat tires too, underscoring the track’s mechanical brutality. That relentless environment set the stage for his abrupt exit and fuels his drive to rebound.

Rhodes revealed he “felt something going on” for most of the race, especially in the final 20 laps. This was when throttle-induced instability turned his Ford F-150 into a treacherous beast on track. “On throttle the rear end moves one way, off throttle goes another way,” he told Frontstretch, recounting how the truck “just let go between turn six and seven.” His blunt confession: “I just want to finish the race right now,” followed.

The sudden loss of control hit especially hard because Rhodes had been tied for the final transfer spot before the crash. With Watkins Glen behind him, Rhodes knows his path forward.

Stage points are paramount, and a win would provide the ultimate lifeline. He says, “All stage points are up there. That’s a big priority,” while also remaining hopeful for a victory to seal his playoff chance. Despite the heartbreak, his tone remains defiant, eyeing Richmond as a do-or-die redemption round. His ability to secure stage points and possibly win will determine whether this calamity becomes a launching pad or a season-ender.