Shane van Gisbergen crew member hit by flying tire from AJ Allmendinger during Pocono pit stops

A rough pit stop for the rear tire changer for Shane van Gisbergen as he was knocked down by a tire hit by AJ Allmendinger’s car. It was one of those pit road mishaps that happen in NASCAR every now and then. JP Kealey got back up and kept working.

As AJ Allmendinger entered his pit box, Shane van Gisbergen had entered his just ahead. The No. 16 crew came around with tires, and the car knocked one flying towards SVG’s crew.

Unfortunately, JP was hit by the tire. But you have to admire his grit and determination. The former D1 lacrosse player got up and finished the pit stop.

Glad our pit crew teammates on the 88 were okay after this little issue on pit road.

JP is TUFF so we know he’ll be alright. 💪 https://t.co/PKE2ZhNAsB pic.twitter.com/dimhDlqywg

— Kaulig Racing (@KauligRacing) June 22, 2025

These pit crew members are tough. They have a job to do, and there is little, if anything, that keeps them from doing that job. Fire, tires, getting hit by cars. None of that stuff stops them from getting four tires and fuel into the car.

This Pocono race has already been eventful. 23XI Racing is having an issue with brake rotors. Both Riley Herbst and Bubba Wallace have slammed the wall due to a brake issue on the right front. Tyler Reddick is hoping he doesn’t follow suit.

The track isn’t called tricky for no reason. The strategies are going to differ. There are parts on this car that will be tested unlike any other track. Then there is the mental aspect of having three distinctly different corners to navigate for 400 miles.

Shane van Gisbergen is doing his best to figure it all out. But things have not been easy.

Shane van Gisbergen in the NASCAR Playoffs

Last week, Shane van Gisbergen punched his ticket to the NASCAR Playoffs. His job is to win a race, one of the road courses. Then, go to the playoffs and do his best. As he continues to learn on these ovals, the rights and lefts are his secret weapon.

Pocono is going to be one of the biggest tests of SVG’s young NASCAR career. He was at this track last year in the Xfinity Series. But the two cars race completely differently from each other. Not to mention, he finished P31 in that race. It was one of his worst performances.

Today has been a rough one for Shane van Gisbergen and his crew. As long as they bring the car home in one piece and can say they learned a thing or two about the Tricky Triangle, then it will be a successful trip to the Poconos.