The world of NASCAR has been sent into a tailspin due to a recent mechanical controversy that has been impacting race outcomes and stirring up heated debates within the community. The heart of the matter lies in a seemingly minuscule pit road error that can make or break a race. This issue is not a random occurrence; instead, it’s a recurring problem causing ripples of frustration and sparking conversations across the sport’s fraternity.
In a sport that thrives on precision, just like a sprinter tripping mid-race, a single pit road error can spell disaster for a race. Taking inspiration from IndyCar and Formula 1, NASCAR introduced some changes to enhance safety and economy. However, one recent modification has ignited a firestorm of controversy. This involves the introduction of a single lug nut on the Next Gen car to reduce pit road time and bolster the safety of pit crews. This change, however, appears to have put the teams in the crosshairs of the sanctioning body, as the root of the problem seems to be embedded in the race car itself.
The recent Las Vegas Motor Speedway race saw drivers Kyle Busch and Chase Briscoe penalized by NASCAR after their race cars experienced loose wheels. Meanwhile, Christopher Bell showcased quick thinking by bolting his loose wheel in the pit box of the No. 19 team. If the car had five lug nuts, with even four of them bolted on, the wheel would have remained in place. However, with the new system, there is no room for error, placing the burden squarely on the teams to ensure the wheels are properly fixed.
Former NASCAR driver and analyst, Kenny Wallace, addressed this ongoing issue on the podcast Schrader and Herm. Wallace recognized the frustration but refuted the argument that NASCAR should revert to the old five-lug system. He noted, “Formula 1 and IndyCar have been running one lug nut for years. We need to get this figured out.”
The mystery remains as to why these problems persist two years after the Next Gen car was launched. NASCAR had replaced the traditional five-lug system with a single centre-locking lug nut in 2022 in a bid to modernize the sport, a move that seemed logical as Formula 1 and IndyCar had been successfully using one-lug wheels for years.
Kyle Busch, a Las Vegas native, made headlines during the recent NASCAR Las Vegas race not for winning, but for losing a wheel and crashing into the outer wall. The wheel of his No. 8 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet came off on lap 113, causing the aluminium alloy rim to rub against the metal, resulting in a punctured tire.
Busch wasn’t the only one with wheel issues during the race. Earlier on, Chase Briscoe also experienced a loose wheel. Christopher Bell’s team failed to fully tighten the left wheel, causing him to stop in Briscoe’s stall to rectify the problem. Following this, Bell was penalized for pitting outside his pit stall.
Despite these incidents, it’s clear that NASCAR will not be returning to the five-lug system. The single-lug system is here to stay, but it needs to be implemented more effectively. Wallace highlighted that Formula 1 has four-second pit stops without losing wheels, suggesting NASCAR teams learn from their counterparts in Formula 1 and IndyCar.
The question on everyone’s lips is not whether the one-lug system was a mistake, but how long it’ll take for teams to adapt. The learning curve has been steep, with pit crews sidelined and races lost. However, the responsibility lies with the teams to improve their performance. NASCAR, on the other hand, is also investigating whether the ghosts of the 2022 problems are haunting them again this year.
NASCAR is actively monitoring the loose wheel situation. Apart from Busch and Briscoe, Kyle Larson also faced similar issues at the Circuit of the Americas. If not for the quick thinking of the No. 20 team, there could have been even more loose wheel penalties after the Vegas race. The issue seems widespread, with multiple teams struggling in just the first five races, despite boasting some of the best pit crew talent.
Adam Steven, Bell’s crew chief, has been in discussions with NASCAR about this recurring problem. NASCAR’s Cup Series Managing Director Brad Moran also addressed these concerns on Sirius XM Radio, stating, “We certainly don’t like it…we worked together as an industry and we got on top of that. And for whatever reason, it appears that we’ve got something going on.”
Moran suggested that pushing the car to the limit and hitting the ground before the nut’s tight could be one of the major reasons for loose wheels. With more intermediate tracks on the schedule, the pit crews are set to become busier. If NASCAR doesn’t make any noticeable changes, the only viable solution might be to spend an extra half-second on the pit road to ensure the wheels are secure. This controversy promises to keep the world of NASCAR on its toes for the foreseeable future.