Trackhouse Racing driver Daniel Suarez has reacted to the heart-in-mouth moment when a tyre cascaded through pit road, narrowly missing crew members.
During the NASCAR Cup Series race at Bristol Motor Speedway, a caution on lap 178 saw Legacy Motor Club driver John Hunter Nemechek, along with many others, dash into the pits.
However, during the pitstop, Nemechek's team failed to secure the left front wheel. Unsurprisingly, it didn't take long before the tyre fully detached itself and flew across pit road, narrowly missing Suarez's car and rear tyre changer.
"After a race like today’s, this video puts everything into perspective! So glad none of my guys got hurt by that tire, especially Seth and Milan."
Legacy Motor Club reflected on the incident. It stated in the race recap:
"During the second stage, Nemechek ran in 27th and was in position to earn the free pass, but just a few laps before the caution came out, the No. 60 overtook him, denying the No. 42 Dollar Tree team the chance to get back on the lead lap.
Daniel Suarez, Trackhouse Chevrolet
Photo by: Sean Gardner / Getty Images
"As the field slowed under yellow, the team considered taking the wave around, but that opportunity didn’t materialize, leading them to bring Nemechek to pit road. During the stop, the left front wheel wasn’t secured in time and came off as Nemechek exited his pit stall. He was forced to return to pit road to have a new tire installed.
"Restarting 33rd, Nemechek faced a tough task with several cars ahead of him and limited track position. Despite being mired in traffic, he noted an improvement in the handling of his No. 42 Toyota Camry XSE. He managed to stay just one lap down through the end of Stage 2, finishing in 31st — a position that allowed the team to take the wave around and rejoin the lead lap to start the final stage."
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