NASCAR‘s Managing Director of Racing Communications, Mike Forde, has defended Ty Gibbs in a debated pit stop incident involving Brad Keselowski at Sonoma Raceway. Forde asserted that Keselowski should have allowed more space when Gibbs entered the pit lane, supporting Gibbs’ claim of having the right of way during the maneuver.
The incident occurred on lap 52 when Gibbs pulled into the pits. He appeared to cross the diagonal markings meant to guide drivers entering pit stalls, which led to a collision with a tire carried by a member of Keselowski’s crew. Keselowski was closely following Gibbs, and the tire changer noted that the stop was slower than usual due to the tight conditions.
Despite the collision, Forde clarified that drivers are allowed to pass through up to three stalls if no car is currently being serviced. This rule was critical in NASCAR’s decision to clear Gibbs of any fault, while attention shifted to Keselowski for pitting closely behind Gibbs.
During NASCAR’s Hauler Talk, Forde elaborated on these points, emphasizing the proper usage of pit box markings.
“Ty Gibbs does not have to obey any of those (lines). Those are for if a car is already in that pit box. So if (Keselowski) was in that pit box, those markings come into play, and Gibbs would have to be on the outside of that diagonal line. Because (Keselowski) wasn’t in that pit stall yet, those don’t come into play,” he said.
Regarding the right of way, Forde added that the trailing driver must provide enough space to prevent incidents like the contact with the tire carrier.
“In the case of two vehicles coming in nose to tail, the trailing vehicle should allow a sufficient gap. So in other words, (Keselowski) should have given (Gibbs) a little bit more room so that things like the tire carrier getting hit wouldn’t happen,” he added.
The confrontation escalated into a brief shoving match between the crew members of RFK Racing and Joe Gibbs Racing, but NASCAR issued no penalties following the event.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. Questions Claims of Intentional Retaliation by Ty Gibbs
Dale Earnhardt Jr. has challenged the growing assumption that Ty Gibbs’ actions during the pit road incident were deliberate retaliation. This skepticism emerged due to an earlier contact between Gibbs and RFK Racing’s Chris Buescher before the pit sequence, which some interpreted as a potential motive.
Speaking on the Dale Jr Download podcast, Earnhardt Jr. weighed in on the difficulty of proving intentional wrongdoing in such high-pressure situations.
“If you could prove it to be intentional, he should be penalized because you can’t use your race car in a danger situation around bodies on pit road right….but how do you prove it to be intentional?
Ty Gibbs concluded the race in seventh place and improved his position in the driver standings to 17th. His performance secured him a spot in the final four of the In-Season Challenge at Dover Motor Speedway, where he’ll compete against 23XI Racing’s Tyler Reddick.
The winner of this matchup will advance to the Champions Round at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, contending for the $1 million prize.
Potential Impact on NASCAR Competition and Safety Protocols
This pit lane clash highlights ongoing challenges around space management and driver conduct during high-pressure races. Forde’s endorsement of Ty Gibbs’ right of way underscores NASCAR’s interpretation of pit lane rules, which may influence how similar incidents are adjudicated moving forward. The absence of penalties suggests NASCAR is prioritizing clear guidelines over reactive punishments in crowded pit scenarios.
For Ty Gibbs, advancing further in the In-Season Challenge despite the controversy emphasizes his resilience and competitive standing. The upcoming face-off at Dover Motor Speedway and subsequent Champions Round promises intensified rivalry and heightened scrutiny, particularly regarding pit road safety and conduct among top drivers and their crews.
