For the first time since Days of Thunder, we saw something truly unusual in a NASCAR race—a different team pitting another car.
During Sunday’s race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Christopher Bell pulled into the pits for four fresh tires and fuel. But as he left his stall, there was a big problem—his No. 20 team hadn’t tightened the lug nuts on the left side.
Normally, once a driver exits pit road, there’s no turning back. If a wheel comes off on the track, NASCAR imposes severe penalties, including suspending two crew members. But Bell avoided that disaster thanks to some quick thinking and teamwork.
As soon as Bell pulled away, the No. 19 team radioed in, saying, “Stop in somebody’s box! Tighten up the left sides. Tighten up the left sides.” They were already on it, figuring out a plan. Bell responded, “Thanks for giving me the heads up.”
Instead of risking a penalty for losing a wheel, Bell pulled into the pit stall of his Joe Gibbs Racing teammate, the No. 19 team. Without hesitation, they tightened the loose lug nut, preventing what could have been a costly mistake.
Now, according to NASCAR’s rulebook, there was still a penalty—pitting outside of your designated stall. But compared to a suspension, the consequence was minor: Bell had to drop to the rear of the field. A small price to pay to keep his crew intact.
Ironically, just moments later, Chase Briscoe—driver of the No. 19 car—actually lost a wheel on track after his own pit stop. That means NASCAR will be suspending two crew members from his team later in the week.
In the end, Bell’s quick decision saved his team from a major setback, proving that sometimes, a little teamwork—and a little rule-bending—can go a long way.
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