Pitstops are pivotal moments during a race that can either make or break a driver’s performance. In the past, NASCAR faced criticism for their slow pitstop times due to the outdated five-lug wheel assembly used in older cars. However, with the introduction of NextGen cars in 2021, a mono-lug system was implemented, resulting in faster pitstop times. This change has inadvertently sparked a competition between the HMS, SHR, and JGR crews, with each team claiming to have achieved the fastest pitstop in NASCAR history.
The transition from the five-lug pattern to the mono-lug system has significantly reduced the average pitstop time from 15-20 seconds to around 10 seconds. As a result, teams have been vying for the title of the fastest pitstop, seeking recognition for their exceptional performance. Initially, HMS claimed the fastest pitstop with a time of 8.49 seconds during the Texas servicing race winner’s car. However, this claim was quickly challenged by SHR and JGR on social media.
SHR then asserted that they had completed a pitstop in 8.45 seconds, surpassing HMS by a mere four-hundredths of a second. Not to be outdone, JGR claimed an even faster pitstop time of 8.39 seconds for their pit crew. This has sparked a heated competition between the three teams, each adamant about their achievement and eagerly awaiting NASCAR’s official timing to settle the dispute.
While HMS celebrated their blazing-fast pitstop on one side of the garage, they encountered unfortunate setbacks on the other end. Following a tire change, Larson experienced a loosened wheel nut, causing his right-rear tire to detach from the wheel assembly after just a dozen laps. Despite the HMS crew tightening the tire in less than four seconds, it is likely that the wheel nut was not properly secured in their haste. This incident resulted in the wheel coming off and leaving Larson’s Chevy behind.
In addition to Larson’s mishap, other drivers such as [Driver A] and [Driver B] also faced difficulties with their pitstops, leading to a forgettable race for them. Nonetheless, the race to claim the title of the fastest pitstop is still ongoing and is expected to be resolved in the coming days.