A terrifying incident unfolded on the final stage of the Jack Link’s 500 at Talladega Superspeedway last Sunday. Josh Berry, a driver participating in the race, hit Jarius Morehead, a tire carrier from the Spire Motorsports crew. The car of another participant, Hocevar, was lodged outside his pit box, causing Morehead and two other tire changers to position themselves on the pit road which led to Berry’s collision.
Berry’s car brushed past one of the tires being carried by Morehead whilst he was maneuvering his stall adjacent to Hocevar’s. The impact jerked Morehead and pushed him onto Hocevar’s car hood. Remarkably, Morehead continued and completed his pit stop duties despite the shocking encounter.
Morehead, an alum of the NC State football team, was interviewed by FOX Sports’ Regan Smith. When asked about the incident he replied, “I come from a football background. You get used to it. … Yes sir, I am [OK]. All good.”
During his football career with the Wolfpack, Morehead played 54 games at safety position from 2015-19, he was known for his hard-hitting style and made 225 combined tackles, nabbed five interceptions and 10 PBUs. Morehead’s gridiron experience evidently prepared him for this perilous event and he is one among several ex-football players who have transitioned into pit crew roles.
This incident stirred up quite a buzz in the racing community, emphasizing the dangers that pit crews face during races. However, the stoic response from Morehead underlines the resilience and courage inherent in pit crew members. This unfolding tale is anticipated to foster vivid discussions regarding safety measures for pit crew members. This is a developing story and more information will be released in due time.
