During a NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race at Talladega Superspeedway, driver Zane Smith lost control of his vehicle and spun out, hitting pit crew member Charles Plank. Plank fell over the back of the truck but appeared to be okay. Smith, who was battling in the Truck series playoffs, fell off the lead lap and is now in fifth place, just 14 points away from the final spot.
A NASCAR pit crew came to the rescue after spotting a fender bender on DuSable Lake Shore Drive in Chicago. The crew quickly unhooked the wiring harness and used a screwdriver to remove the heavily damaged bumper, allowing the driver to continue on their way.
Pit crew coach Brian Haaland advocates for a formalized free agency period and trades for pit crew members in NASCAR. Fords have struggled on 1.5-mile tracks this season, with only one win at Atlanta. Goodyear plans to use a new tire that wears more at New Hampshire in July. Chase Elliott has climbed to 28th in the standings after returning from a leg injury. Kyle Larson will run the Indianapolis 500 and Coca-Cola 600 next year.
Pit crew coach Brian Haaland suggests radical ideas such as a formalized free agency period and trading pit crew members in NASCAR. Fords have struggled on 1.5-mile tracks this season, with only one win at Atlanta. Goodyear plans to use a new tire that wears more at New Hampshire in July. Chase Elliott has climbed to 28th in the standings after returning from a leg injury. Kyle Larson will run the Indianapolis 500 and Coca-Cola 600 next year.
Pit crew members at Richard Childress Racing are amazed at the lack of safety measures in the past, as they watch footage of their predecessors changing tires and fuel on the No. 3 GM Goodwrench Chevy at the North Wilkesboro Speedway in 1987. The speedway, which closed in 1996, is being revived for Sunday's NASCAR All-Star Race. Today's pit crew members are protected by a knee-high pit wall, a 30 mph pit road speed limit, and wear helmets and fire suits. The revival of the speedway will allow for comparisons between the past and present, highlighting the progress made in crew safety.
