At Bristol Motor Speedway, Christopher Bell unexpectedly seized victory, ending Kyle Larson’s streak of consecutive wins at this difficult short track in Tennessee. While most expected Larson to continue his dominance during NASCAR’s round of 16, he instead faced setbacks, though his team managed to impress with an extraordinary pit crew effort highlighting the night’s intense competition.
Larson started well enough, qualifying fifth, but once the race was underway, the performance of his #5 Chevrolet failed to meet expectations. Despite leading over 400 laps in the previous two Bristol events, his speed waned on this playoff night. By stage one’s conclusion, Larson had fallen to 24th place and was further hampered by a pit road speeding penalty. Stage two offered no improvement as he remained mired in the same position, battling fiercely to move forward.
Exceptional Pit Stop Executes Record-Breaking Suspension Repair
The situation worsened dramatically on lap 365 when Ricky Stenhouse Jr. collided with Larson’s car from behind, pushing it into Daniel Suarez amid a fierce position battle. This contact broke Larson’s rear toe link, a crucial yet fragile component of the suspension system that ensures the wheels maintain proper alignment, especially critical on Bristol’s steep banking. With the car struggling to stay straight, Larson limped back to pit road uncertain about the next steps.
At this critical moment, Larson’s pit crew delivered a remarkable feat. NASCAR mechanic and journalist Bozi Tatarevic reported on social media, highlighting the crew’s astonishing speed in repairing the damaged part. The rear toe link replacement took only 1 minute and 56 seconds, a time that could set a new record for this type of repair during a race. Car Chief Jesse Saunders and Mechanic Robert Dalby worked swiftly to reinstall the component on the right rear, minimizing time lost and keeping the car in competition.
The rear toe link replacement on the No. 5 of @KyleLarsonRacin last might have been done in record time. The No. 5 only spent 1 minute and 56 seconds in their pit stall as Car Chief Jesse Saunders and Mechanic Robert Dalby hustled to replace the toe link on the right rear.
— Bozi Tatarevic, NASCAR Journalist and Mechanic
The toe link plays a vital role by connecting the control arm to the wheel hub, ensuring the wheels maintain proper angles for optimal traction and handling on Bristol’s unique surface. Despite being a relatively inexpensive and delicate part, the toe link often suffers damage from track contact, making rapid replacements during races extremely challenging. Larson’s crew completing this task in under two minutes stands out as a technical and operational achievement during a high-pressure situation.
Ongoing Struggles Despite Pit Crew Triumph as Playoffs Continue
Despite the rapid repair that allowed Larson to stay on track, his race day remained difficult, ending in 32nd place, five laps behind the leaders. This marked a continuation of a challenging playoff period, including finishes outside the top 15 at Darlington and Gateway. Nevertheless, Larson’s strong earlier season performance secured his spot advancing into the NASCAR round of 12.
Looking ahead, the next crucial event will take place at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, where Larson and his team will face increased pressure to rebound. Questions loom about whether he can regain his competitive form or if this difficult stretch signals a premature end to his 2025 playoff pursuit.
