John Hunter Nemechek and his No. 42 team encountered a major setback late in the Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona International Speedway due to a pit stop penalty. The incident occurred when Rick Rozier Jr., the gas man for Nemechek’s crew, accidentally stepped out of the team’s pit box and into the adjacent area assigned to Shane van Gisbergen’s No. 88 team while carrying his gas can, resulting in a penalty against Nemechek.
How the Penalty Unfolded During Critical Pit Stops
Before the pit stops, Nemechek had successfully advanced toward the front with the aid of teammate Erik Jones. However, the pit service quickly went awry when Rozier lost footing and crossed into an unauthorized pit box area. Even though van Gisbergen’s team was not present at the time, the presence of equipment outside the designated box automatically triggered a penalty for the No. 42 team, leaving Nemechek powerless to avoid the consequence.
Rough Moments and Reactions on the Radio
The challenge intensified as gas man Rick Rozier Jr. took a sudden fall after fueling Nemechek’s car during a caution period. Rozier, who previously played as a fullback at Winston-Salem State and competed in a Division II National Championship game in 2011, showed his commitment but unfortunately caused this costly mistake.
“Gas man Rick Rozier Jr. takes a spill after packing John Hunter Nemechek’s car full of fuel under this caution. Rozier is a former fullback at Winston-Salem State and played in a Division II National Championship game in 2011.” —Steven Taranto, Reporter
Frustration quickly boiled over from Nemechek, who expressed his disbelief in a heated radio exchange following the penalty call.
“What? You gotta be f***ing sh***ing me,”
—John Hunter Nemechek, Driver
The No. 42 driver’s reaction highlighted the tension and disappointment caused by the incident, as the penalty disrupted his momentum in the race.
Implications for Nemechek and the Race Moving Forward
The pit stop penalty during such a crucial phase of the Daytona race compromised Nemechek’s position and chances for a strong finish. With the Coke Zero Sugar 400 still unfolding, the incident underscores how small errors in the pit lane can dramatically impact outcomes in high-stakes NASCAR events. The No. 42 team must now recalibrate quickly to recover from this setback as the race progresses.
