A change meant to help has brought trouble to NASCAR pit stops. Strange mistakes and dangerous moments are happening more often. A jack dropped a car in the middle of a race. Tires rolled loose before drivers could leave. One voice from the past, Former Crew Chief Chris Hussey, says this cannot go on. What caused the shift? And why are some teams paying the price for every second they try to save?
Key Highlights
- Former crew chief Chris Hussey emphasizes the urgency for improved pit road performance amidst rising safety concerns related to loose wheels.
- The shift to a single lug nut system has contributed to increased safety risks during pit stops, raising accountability issues.
- Recent incidents, including Carson Hocevar’s jack failure, highlight the critical need for reliable and efficient pit operations to avoid race-ending mistakes.
- Loose wheel incidents, like those involving Kyle Larson and Chase Briscoe, underscore the chaos occurring due to precision errors during pit stops.
- The balance between achieving faster pit stops and maintaining safety is crucial, as highlighted by expert insights and recent race events.
Importance of Pit Crews and Evolution Over Time
While it may seem that the focus of NASCAR is solely on high-speed racing, the crucial role of pit crews cannot be overstated, as they have evolved into a significant element that can greatly impact a driver’s performance.
In the era of parity racing, where every millisecond counts, a swift and efficient pit stop can be the difference between victory and defeat.
Historically, pit crews lacked the synchronized choreography of today; for instance, in 1968, Herb Nab utilized unconventional methods, such as storing lug nuts in his mouth for rapid access.
In 1968, pit crews operated without today’s precision, with Herb Nab famously storing lug nuts in his mouth for quick access.
Fast forward to 2025, and crews now endeavor to complete stops in under 9 seconds.
Technological Advancements and Safety Concerns
As advancements in technology continue to reshape the landscape of NASCAR, the introduction of the single lug nut system on the Next Gen car has sparked considerable concerns regarding safety on pit road.
The recent incident involving Daniel Suarez’s crew, who experienced a close call with a rolling tire from the No. 42 car, highlights the potential dangers posed by this system.
Significantly, the year 2025 has seen an alarming increase in wheels detaching during races, raising questions about the efficacy of the single lug nut design.
While reverting to a five lug nut configuration seems unlikely, the urgency to address the rampant loose wheel situation is evident.
NASCAR must prioritize safety and performance to guarantee that pit road chaos does not compromise the integrity of the sport.
Expert Opinion – Chris Hussey’s Insights
Chris Hussey, a veteran crew chief with a wealth of experience in the NASCAR circuit, emphasizes the pressing need for improved performance on pit road amidst the growing concerns surrounding the single lug nut system.
With a storied background, including tire changes for Mark Martin, Hussey argues that the pursuit of speed has overshadowed safety. He notes that while a five lug nut system provided a safety net, the single lug design demands absolute precision.
The shift to a single lug nut system demands precision, risking safety in the relentless pursuit of speed.
“It’s not that single lug nut’s fault,” he asserts, highlighting that 99 percent of the time, teams succeed in securing it tightly.
“It’s back to trying to be fast, be fast as you can. But at the end of the day percentage-wise, every weekend, 99 percent get put on and get put on tight. So it’s not the design; they just gotta be better on the pit road.” – Chris Hussey
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However, he warns that the relentless push for shorter pit stops must be balanced with the utmost care to avoid disastrous failures that could jeopardize both performance and safety.
Carson Hocevar Incident – Jack Failure on Pit Road
A shocking scene unfolded during the 2025 Cup Series event at Bristol Motor Speedway when Carson Hocevar’s Spire Motorsports No. 77 Chevrolet fell off the jack mid-pit stop, highlighting the unstable nature of pit road operations.
As Hocevar, a rookie with considerable potential, approached a top-five finish, calamity struck on lap 392. The crew, focused on changing the left-side tires, encountered a critical failure as the car slipped from the jack.
In a remarkable display of resourcefulness, crew member Cody French retrieved a spare jack from behind the wall, managing to lift the vehicle despite the incomplete tire installation.
Ultimately, this incident cost Hocevar a coveted top-five finish, leaving him with an 11th place that belied his performance expectations.
Loose Wheel Incidents During the 2025 Season
Loose wheel incidents during the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series season have highlighted the critical importance of precision and accountability in pit road operations.
The chaos began with Kyle Larson at the Circuit of the Americas, where a dropped right front tire resulted in a two-lap penalty and the suspension of two crew members.
The Las Vegas Motor Speedway spring race escalated the issue, as both Chase Briscoe and Kyle Busch faced similar fates.
However, Christopher Bell’s quick thinking to stop for a loose wheel exemplified the need for adaptability in high-stakes situations.
Ultimately, Brad Keselowski’s Darlington incident, where a wheel nut flew off, illustrated the dire consequences of pit lane errors, emphasizing the necessity for stringent protocols to guarantee driver safety and competitive integrity.
News In Brief: NASCAR Lug Nut Controversy
The chaos observed on NASCAR pit roads, highlighted by expert Chris Hussey, emphasizes critical safety and performance issues driven by evolving technologies and crew dynamics. The alarming incidents, particularly the loose wheel failures and the Carson Hocevar jack mishap, reveal systemic vulnerabilities that demand immediate attention. As teams navigate the high-stakes environment of racing, prioritizing rigorous training and improved mechanical checks is vital to safeguard both crew and driver safety, ensuring that the integrity of the sport remains uncompromised.
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