In the latest fallout from the Brad Keselowski Sonoma pit road incident, retired NASCAR champion Kevin Harvick has come to Ty Gibbs’ defense, taking a strong stance after tensions flared between pit crews at Sonoma Raceway this past Sunday. The dispute, which stemmed from a heated moment during pit stops, drew attention as NASCAR officials and several Cup Series personalities weighed in on the conflict and its implications for pit road safety and protocol.
Details of the Sonoma Pit Road Confrontation
During Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series event at Sonoma Raceway, a flashpoint emerged when Ty Gibbs entered his pit stall, passing through the neighboring box assigned to Brad Keselowski, who happened to be directly behind. While such a maneuver is allowed under current NASCAR regulations, Gibbs’ trajectory caused minor contact with a tire held by Telvin McClurkin, a member of Keselowski’s pit crew.
Once both Gibbs and Keselowski completed their stops and rejoined the track, emotions boiled over between the teams. McClurkin, joined by at least one other RFK Racing crew member, confronted several members of the Gibbs team. The interaction escalated into a brief shoving match, which NASCAR officials promptly stepped in to break up. Following their review, NASCAR determined that Gibbs was not at fault for the incident.
Kevin Harvick Responds to the Fallout
Unlike his reputation during his driving years, Kevin Harvick, now an analyst and host of his own podcast, did not hesitate to speak his mind regarding the pit road altercation. Harvick, who hails from Bakersfield, California, reflected on his own experiences and pointed blame away from Ty Gibbs, instead suggesting the onus was on the tire carrier for safety in these high-pressure moments.
“And NASCAR said that as well. My advice to the guy carrying the tires is move your tires. You don’t want to get hit by the car, move your tires. That’s your responsibility, not the driver’s.”
—Kevin Harvick, Analyst
Harvick further commented on his driving days, clarifying how he would have addressed similar situations from behind the wheel.
“When I was the driver and I felt the tire carrier was swinging around too wide and was affecting the way I was getting into the (pit) wall, I’d brush him, for sure.”
—Kevin Harvick, Analyst
Reflecting on McClurkin’s role directly, Harvick doubled down on the assignment of responsibility, stating what he would have communicated if put in Gibbs’ position.
“That one’s simple: the tire carrier just needs to get out of the freakin’ way,”
—Kevin Harvick, Analyst
Summarizing his take, Harvick concluded,
“He can be frustrated all he wants. I don’t know why he wants to go over and blame it on the team (Gibbs’) guys. It’s just a bad reaction from the tire carrier and in my opinion, 100 percent his problem to deal with. Get out of the way of the car,”
—Kevin Harvick, Analyst
“The tire carrier just needs to get out of the freaking way.”
—Kevin Harvick, Analyst
According to longstanding practice, the tire carrier has the responsibility to clear a path for any car entering a neighboring pit stall, ensuring both safety and efficiency during stops. Harvick’s comments underscore this established norm and place the burden back on the pit crews to prioritize awareness.
Michael McDowell Offers Further Insight
Adding another driver’s perspective, Spire Motorsports’ Michael McDowell discussed the episode on Dirty Mo Media’s Door Bumper Clear podcast, expressing empathy for both sides but ultimately echoing Harvick by holding the pit crew member accountable for his actions.
“As a driver, you’re in that spot of like, ‘Ah, don’t do that, man,’”
—Michael McDowell, Spire Motorsports Driver
“But then, you also go into that mindset of you’re driving the race car and they’re standing there. You don’t want to hurt somebody, but why are you playing games. Play dumb games and dumb things happen.”
—Michael McDowell, Spire Motorsports Driver
For Brad Keselowski’s RFK Racing pit crew, the emphasis is now on careful navigation of pit road dynamics, as the recent events signal the importance of heightened situational awareness in future high-pressure situations.
The Road Ahead After Sonoma’s Pit Road Drama
The intensity of the Brad Keselowski Sonoma pit road incident has reignited discussions among drivers, pit crew members, and analysts, placing renewed attention on clear communication and rule recognition at NASCAR events. Ty Gibbs’ actions were deemed acceptable under current NASCAR rules, affirming practices that contributors like Kevin Harvick and Michael McDowell support. As Cup Series teams move forward, there is little doubt that crews will remain vigilant and officials will continue monitoring such interactions, with the Sonoma confrontation serving as a cautionary example for all involved at the next race and beyond.
