Pit Road Politics: Pit stops often remain an underrated aspect of NASCAR, with their impact on a driver’s race sometimes overlooked. The Championship 4 races, however, provide a significant stage for pit crews to showcase their importance. The recent Final 4 race at Phoenix has sparked discussions and concerns among drivers and experts. Denny Hamlin, the Joe Gibbs Racing star, delved into this topic in a recent episode of his podcast, Actions Detrimental.
The championship race introduced a change in pit road rules, deviating from the typical practice where the highest qualifiers are positioned in descending order on the pit lane. In the season finale, the Final 4 contenders gain an advantage by occupying the first four pit stalls. This change was due to champion Ryan Blaney’s close proximity to the front row despite finishing 15th in the qualifying race.
William Byron, who secured the most advantageous position in the race by topping the qualifying session, was the key beneficiary. His Hendrick Motorsports teammate and title rival, Kyle Larson, was the only other Final 4 driver to finish in the top 5. Despite the race preventing any loss of pit stall positions beyond fourth, there were positive aspects for the drivers.
Denny Hamlin analyzed the pit stall situation and discussed the advantages Byron enjoyed on Sunday. He criticized NASCAR’s rules that left a considerable gap between drivers behind Byron, primarily due to tire wear. Hamlin stated, “Eventually, something has to wear down, and it’s usually the tires that do that. He put up a great effort, a valiant effort trying to hold off what was the fastest car of the weekend, the #12 of Blaney.”
Hamlin further questioned the need for such a significant advantage for the driver in the No.1 pit box, especially in such a critical race. He pondered whether, in the event of another champion being decided on pit road, this advantage truly aligns with the spirit of a team sport.
The race dynamics illustrated the impact of pit stops, with William Byron capitalizing on the situation to win the first stage. Kyle Larson’s pit crew showcased their capabilities, putting him ahead of Byron during a pivotal pit stop in the second stage. This move could have set Larson on the path to another championship, similar to 2021. However, Blaney’s clever use of the situation played a role in pushing for the pass on Larson, which later proved crucial in the race.
Despite Byron eventually falling behind Larson in the final order and finishing fourth, it was an unexpected turn of events, considering that Ross Chastain won the race without any prior pit stop advantage as the four contenders had. Denny Hamlin emphasized the importance of allowing pit crew members to prepare for an optimal exit from the pit road.
The uncertainty of the championship outcome being decided in the pit lane remains a significant concern for Hamlin. He acknowledged the role of drivers and teams in positioning themselves for pit crew success but emphasized the substantial time difference between having the No.1 pit stall and the fifth stall.
Brad Keselowski’s spotter for the #6 team, TJ Majors, echoed similar sentiments, describing the pit road placements as a point of contention and advocating for a more conventional qualifying-based approach to pit stall assignments.
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