SVG tire changer JP Kealey recalls brutal impact, collapsed lung from Pocono: 'Gun socket was tattooed on my ribs'

During the June 22 NASCAR Cup Series race at Pocono Raceway, rear tire changer for Shane van Gisbergen and the No. 88 team, JP Kealey, was knocked down from a flying tire on pit road. As AJ Allmendinger entered his pit box, van Gisbergen had entered his just ahead. The No. 16 crew came around with tires, and the car knocked one flying towards Kealey.

Kealey recalled the scary incident with Corey Lajoie and Ryan Flores on the “Stacking Pennies” podcast. Kealey, who was hospitalized after suffering a broken rib and a partially collapsed lung, said that his gun socket was “tattooed on my ribs for a little bit there.”

JP Kealey of @TeamTrackhouse is tough as nails. 😤

A new episode of Stacking Pennies with @CoreyLaJoie and @SkipFlores is now available wherever you get your podcasts! pic.twitter.com/wTZMGN7huq

— NASCAR (@NASCAR) July 9, 2025

“My gun socket was tattooed on my ribs for a little bit there,” Kealey said. “It’s not there anymore, but it was there for about a week. I broke my sixth rib, so the one like below my armpit. There’s still a little bumper there because it’s calcified and healing. And then, I collapsed a portion of my lung. Once it hit me, I knew my rib was broken because I felt something crack, took all the wind out of me and then went through that whole deal.”

JP Kealey returns in big way at Chicago

A former National Lacrosse League player for the Buffalo Bandits, Kealey is one tough customer. He finished the stop through the pain, and there was never a thought of giving up in that moment.

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

“That’s the job, and the way I look at it, when you’re facing opposition or adversity, it’s just an opportunity to kind of prove who you are as an athlete and as a person. You get hit, you got to get back up,” Kealey said. “You can’t just sit there and not do your job.”

Kealey wanted to continue his duties the following weekend at Atlanta Motor Speedway. Doctors wouldn’t let him, but this past Sunday in downtown Chicago, he was back in action. Van Gisbergen cruised to his second victory of the season.