While the issue of option tires remains fresh in the minds of fans, competitors, and teams, a new issue has risen to attention in the NASCAR world. The introduction of the Next Gen car with its single-lug wheels in 2022 has exacerbated the ‘Loose wheels’ problem, as tire changers now have just one chance to secure the wheel properly. As Eric Jones’ rear tire changer, Justin Fieldler put it back in 2022, “From the time I’m engaged on the nut, to the swap of tires, to the nut being tight again is about 2.5 seconds. As a comparison, that is probably 2 seconds faster than a 5 lug stop. So there is much less time to make decisions. You better be confident it’s tight before you leave.”
Incidents like Chase Briscoe’s record-breaking 8.54-second pit stop at Kansas in 2023 highlighted the speed crews operate at, but also the razor-thin margin for error that can result in loose wheels. NASCAR has responded with stricter penalties, underscoring the safety risks associated with these errors. Recently, Christopher Bell’s team faced a similar challenge at Las Vegas, prompting a creative solution that has sparked debate about NASCAR’s pit road procedures.
Bell’s bid for four straight wins derailed by pit road woes
Christopher Bell’s quest for a historic fourth consecutive NASCAR Cup Series victory came to an end at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Unfortunately for him, he finished 12th in the Pennzoil 400. Bell, who had won the previous three races, entered the event with high hopes of joining an elite group of drivers who have won four consecutive Cup races. However, his day was marred by challenges that began even before the green flag dropped.
The No. 20 Joe Gibbs Racing team was forced to change a throttle body prior to the race. Unfortunately, it resulted in Bell starting from the rear of the field. Despite this setback, Bell showcased his skill and determination by working his way up to 10th place by the end of Stage 1. His progress continued as he climbed as high as second place, demonstrating the speed and potential that had made him a pre-race favorite.
The turning point of Bell’s race came during a pit stop under caution. As Bell’s crew chief Adam Stevens explained, “We thought it was going to be a good day. At least be in contention, and once we had that loose wheel, it was going to take something. A miracle for us to be racing for the win at that point.” The loose left front wheel forced Bell to make an unscheduled stop in Chase Briscoe’s pit box to have it tightened, resulting in a penalty for pitting outside his designated box.
Stevens elaborated on the quick decision-making process. “It’s something that we’ve talked about before. It’s a situation that’s come up in the past, and it’s been discussed with NASCAR. So, it could prevent a wheel going across the racetrack or a dangerous situation. So, as soon as he jumped up with his head shaking, we, uh, we jumped on it.” This proactive approach likely prevented a more severe penalty that could have resulted from a wheel coming loose on the track. But, this is something that was broken down intricately by a fellow editor, who got the chance to get pit crew training at JGR in 2022.
Alanis King, the ex-editor at Road & Track, worked with the pit road crew. Gladly, it was after the single-lug nut system was approved. She pointed out, “Many things can ruin a pit stop, including misaligning the gun’s tiny teeth with the lug or instinctively pulling on it while loosening the wheel. I did that often.” Maybe one of them could be an issue with Bell’s car. But, every shortcoming is an opportunity to learn.
Despite the setback, Christopher Bell and his team remained focused on salvaging the best possible result. Stevens reflected on the day’s challenges, saying, “It is what it is. You’ll have days like that, and thankful we got a finish out of it.” The 12th-place finish, while disappointing given Bell’s recent success, still keeps him in a strong position in the championship standings. As the series moves to Homestead-Miami Speedway next weekend, Bell and his team will look to bounce back and potentially start a new winning streak.
Wheels on the loose – A growing concern for NASCAR
Loose wheels have become an all-too-familiar sight in NASCAR lately. It seems like every other week, we’re talking about another driver losing a wheel and facing the consequences. The Pennzoil 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway was no exception. Kyle Busch and Christopher Bell both experienced loose wheel issues during the race.
Busch’s incident was particularly dramatic, as his right rear wheel detached and led to a crash. On the other hand, Bell had to make an emergency stop in Chase Briscoe’s pit box to avoid a similar fate. These incidents highlight the ongoing challenges teams face with the Next Gen car’s single-lug wheel system.
In recent years, NASCAR has implemented stricter penalties for loose wheels, including suspensions for crew members and time penalties during races. For example, Kyle Busch’s team faced a two-race suspension for his tire changer and jackman after the Las Vegas incident. Busch himself got a two-lap penalty handed by NASCAR.
This approach aims to emphasize the importance of securing wheels properly to prevent accidents. However, despite these measures, the problem persists. It suggests that there may be deeper issues with the design or maintenance of the Next Gen car’s wheel system.
The issue isn’t limited to just a few isolated incidents. Loose wheels have been a recurring theme across different races and teams. Chris Buescher’s crew members were penalized for a loose wheel in a previous race at Las Vegas. It resulted in a two-race suspension. Even Kyle Larson has experienced similar issues, losing a wheel during a race at Circuit of The Americas.
As NASCAR continues to evolve, addressing the loose wheel problem will be crucial for maintaining safety and fairness on the track. While teams like Bell’s have found creative ways to mitigate the damage, these solutions are not sustainable long-term fixes. NASCAR must work with teams to identify the root causes of these issues and implement changes that ensure drivers can compete without the constant fear of losing a wheel.
Until then, loose wheels will remain a talking point in the NASCAR community. They highlight both the sport’s high-speed risks and the need for continuous improvement.
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