During the Cup Series race at Sonoma Raceway on July 13, an intense confrontation erupted between the pit crews of Brad Keselowski and Ty Gibbs, igniting a shoving match that captured widespread attention. This incident, widely shared through a 26-second clip posted by RFK Racing on X, became a focal point of discussion among fans and officials alike, amid growing tension over pit road conduct.
Details of the Pit Stall Incident on Lap 52
The clash took place near the conclusion of Stage 2 on Lap 52, when Ty Gibbs entered his pit stall but briefly clipped Keselowski’s adjacent stall. Gibbs’ car came dangerously close to Telvin McClurkin, Keselowski’s front tire changer, causing a minor injury. McClurkin later shared with TNT Sports that the contact twisted his wrist and delayed the pit stop for the RFK Racing team.
Once Keselowski had left his pit box, McClurkin reportedly confronted Gibbs’ crew, triggering a shoving incident. While the full melee was not entirely captured on video, NASCAR officials promptly intervened to quell the altercation. This tense exchange unsettled the atmosphere for the teams and fans at the track.
Fan Reactions Reflect Divided Opinions on Responsibility
The heated moment spurred a flood of responses online, with fans sharply divided over who bore fault for the confrontation. Some blamed Gibbs for aggressive driving near the pit boxes:
“Can’t swing in like that when there’s a man already standing there.” —Fan
Other supporters criticized Keselowski’s crew for their role in escalating the incident, suggesting they entered pit road too soon:
“Looks like your crew should’ve waited for his car to go by before they came over the wall.” —Fan
Additional comments demonstrated the intensity of debate, ranging from calls to discipline the driver to expressions of frustration with unsafe behavior on pit road:
“Ty was wrong.” —Fan
“Any other last name and he’d be back in trucks.” —Fan
“I understand Ty being frustrated but pit road is no place for that crap. It’s just too dangerous.” —Fan
“Should have parked him right away and sit out next week! Disgusting behavior!” —Fan
NASCAR Officials Plan Further Investigation into the Conflict
In an official statement, NASCAR acknowledged that Keselowski’s No. 6 team should have allowed Gibbs’ No. 54 car more time to pass their pit stall before entering pit road. They confirmed the incident would undergo additional review throughout the week to determine if any penalties were warranted.
The race itself was won by Trackhouse Racing rookie Shane van Gisbergen, who outpaced competitors across the 110 laps. Chase Briscoe, Chase Elliott, Michael McDowell, and Christopher Bell completed the top five finishes. Keselowski ended the day in 11th place, while Gibbs secured 7th, marking his fifth top-10 finish of the season.
Ty Gibbs Shares His Perspective on the Pit Road Dispute
Ty Gibbs maintained that his actions during the pit stop were within NASCAR rules and denied any intentional wrongdoing. Addressing the incident after the race with TNT Sports, the 22-year-old emphasized his position as the lead car approaching the pit box, which gave him priority in the pit lane.
“By NASCAR’s rules, you know, I’m the lead car because I’m in the pit box past where the 6 is and I’m in front of them as well,” Gibbs explained. “We have these orange lines right there. As you can see, I’m sure they’ll show you after… where if I’m behind him, I have to go around those orange lines for it to be the rule. Going in, I have the right-of-way.” —Ty Gibbs
Jeremy Bullins, Keselowski’s crew chief who stepped in to de-escalate the conflict, backed Gibbs’ interpretation of the rules. Bullins remarked that Keselowski himself would likely have acted similarly in the same situation, indicating the No. 6 team accepted the circumstances.
Further support came from Joe Gibbs Racing’s Director of Competition, Chris Gabehart, who confirmed that Gibbs held the right-of-way during the pit stop. Gabehart described the scenario as simply a tight and challenging situation, aggravated by Keselowski’s tire changer moving into the area.
Implications of the Incident for NASCAR Pit Road Protocols
This altercation highlights the persistent tension and risks present during pit stops, where split-second decisions can spark dangerous confrontations. The upcoming NASCAR review is expected to reinforce the importance of clear pit road etiquette and ensure safety precautions are strictly observed. For the teams involved, the clash underscores how quickly pressure can escalate amidst the fast pace of competition.
While the Sonoma race results added important points to the season standings, the fallout from the pit road conflict is likely to influence driver and crew conduct in future events, stressing the need for precision and restraint under intense race conditions.