Welcome to the latest edition of Monday Morning Pit Box, where we break down the critical calls that shape the outcome of each week’s race. We take a look through the minds of those on pit road and, at times, call atop race control as well.
There is no other way to slice it. Going toward the closing laps, Kevin Harvick‘s farewell tour was heading toward having an early-season win. But as what typically happens in the highest levels of NASCAR, a late-race caution changes everything, as NASCAR on FOX broadcaster Mike Joy often remarks with a nod toward legendary crew chief and analyst Larry McReynolds.
That caution with 10 laps to go at Phoenix Raceway, brought out by Harrison Burton, did indeed change things, as it brought the leaders to pit road. It put Harvick in a challenging position – take four fresh tires and gain insurance in case a race goes into multiple overtimes or go for fuel only or just two tires, hoping that the worn tires on the opposite side will hold up.
Harvick’s crew chief Rodney Childers opted for the latter. When six drivers behind Harvick were among those opting for just two tires, it punted Harvick back to seventh, where he would fight traffic, track position and a lack of laps, only being able to finish fifth.
Childers was in a no-win position here. It’s easy to say, ‘take two tires,’ but what if one of those aged tires fails in the closing laps? Then, Harvick goes from a top-five to around 20th. That’s a good chunk of points, and if a postseason spot comes down to points for the No. 4, that’s a risk that could become bigger.
Busch overcomes misadventures from pit stop
Kyle Busch rallied late to finish eighth on Sunday at Phoenix. It came after the No. 8 pit crew had an adventurous turn of events in the second stage, which uprooted them from the top 10 and into an uphill battle.
Busch was hit by not one, but two issues on the same stop: a speeding penalty and an uncontrolled tire penalty.
The good news for Busch is that he was able to rally back; he and the No. 8 team did not let one problem beat them again later in the race. That mental toughness is something any new team and driver needs to develop if they are to contend for a title in the playoffs, and this group appears to have figured that out.
Barker’s Call Steers Wallace from Potential Disaster
As the laps clicked off into the middle stage on Sunday at Phoenix, 23XI Racing was on track to have a good chance at both of its cars finishing in the top 10, a big shot in the arm with how rough of a start Tyler Reddick has had this year.
Reddick got a much-needed strong finish, surging to third in overtime. His teammate Bubba Wallace? By the second stage, he had slowly moved into the top 10, but a move by crew chief Bootie Barker to avoid a disastrous day ended those hopes.
Running near the top 10, the No. 23 spent extra time on pit road to address an issue with its right front wheel, ensuring the lugnut was tightened. As a result, Wallace dropped outside the top 20, faced a slanted climb and fought to finish 14th at the end – a solid result but not where the No. 23 was on track to finish earlier in the race.
Sure, Barker could have rolled the dice and chanced running with a right-front lugnut issue – but given that a wheel coming off would have meant a two-lap penalty similar to Aric Almirola, Barker had little choice but to play it safe and try to make chicken salad without the chicken.
As a result, Wallace salvaged a respectable finish rather than a disastrous showing in the 20s or 30s. Sometimes, you can clinch a postseason spot by what you do in March, and if the No. 23 makes it into the postseason on points, Sunday at Phoenix may be pointed to as a reason why.
About the author
Brad joined Frontstretch.com in 2020 and contributes to the site's 5 Points To Ponder column and other roles as needed. A graduate of the University of Georgia's Henry W. Grady School of Journalism and Mass Communication, he has covered sports in some capacity for more than 20 years with coverage including local high school sports, college athletics and minor league hockey. Brad has received multiple awards for his work from the Georgia Press Association.
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