Shane Van Gisbergen’s crew member JP Kealey suffered a severe injury at Pocono Raceway during The Great American Getaway 400, where he sustained a broken rib and a collapsed lung after being hit by a flying tire. The incident occurred when AJ Allmendinger overshot his pit entry, striking a wheel being carried by a crew member, which then struck Kealey as he prepared to service Van Gisbergen’s car.
Despite collapsing from the impact, Kealey managed to regain composure and complete the pit stop before seeking medical attention. An update from NASCAR analyst Bob Pockrass on July 5 shared Kealey’s firsthand account of the event and his recovery progress, confirming that the tire changer has now returned to active duty during the Chicago Street Race.
“It was a pretty hard hit. Knocked the wind out of me when the tire hit me. I kind of knew I broke my ribs. I felt a pop. But you know, the first thing that came to mind was finishing the stop, so I got back out there to finish the job. And then yeah, after that, I got a little bit of attention. Once I found some shortness of breath and was struggling to breathe a little bit, that’s when I knew something was wrong,” Kealey said.
—JP Kealey, Crew Member
Shane Van Gisbergen’s Struggles and Recent Success on Oval and Road Courses
The Pocono race was a reminder of Shane Van Gisbergen’s challenges on oval tracks, as he finished a lap down and outside the top-30. However, the Kiwi driver bounced back strongly with consecutive Xfinity Series victories, including a win at Saturday’s The Loop 110 on the Chicago Street Course. This success demonstrated his strengths as a road course specialist.
Van Gisbergen’s Reflections on His Victory at Chicago
Competing with JR Motorsports in only his second Xfinity Series race at Chicago, Van Gisbergen overcame a strategy setback to hold off a late challenge from Connor Zilisch and claim the win. Speaking about the race, he reflected on the performance and his opponent:
“The strategy went wrong, but it worked out well. The car was a rocket. (Zilisch) is a great young driver, and that was the first time I’ve really raced him. I knew that was my opportunity, and I took it. Awesome 1-2 for the team.”
—Shane Van Gisbergen, Driver
Beginning the race from pole position, a feat he replicated in the subsequent Cup Series qualifying, Van Gisbergen is seen as a strong contender to win the upcoming Grant Park 165. His road course skill set makes him a fan favorite, although he will have to face stiff competition from drivers such as Michael McDowell, who secured the front row alongside him and recently commented that Van Gisbergen “is beatable.”
Looking Ahead to Upcoming Races and Continuing Recovery
As Van Gisbergen prepares for the 75-lap Grant Park 165 race on July 6, broadcast on TNT Sports at 2 PM ET, the entirety of the team, including Kealey, is expected to be fully recovered and ready. Kealey’s return to the pit crew marks a crucial moment for Van Gisbergen’s team, as having an experienced tire changer contributes significantly to their competitive efforts.
This incident underscores the physical risks faced by pit crews during high-speed races, but also highlights the determination and resilience within NASCAR teams as they recover and regroup for the next challenges on and off the track.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Why did Shane van Gisbergen quit Supercars?
A. Shane van Gisbergen believes he made the correct choice by leaving Supercars to chase a NASCAR career. This year is his first full season in the NASCAR Xfinity Series with Kaulig Racing after spending 15 years in Supercars.
Q. Why did Shane van Gisbergen leave Supercars?
A. I am stepping away from V8 Supercars because of personal reasons that I prefer to keep private. I will be returning to New Zealand and do not have any specific future plans.