Welcome to the latest edition of Monday Morning Pit Box, where we break down the crucial 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.
Take a quick look at post-race comments, including by Denny Hamlin, and think about the relative lack of passing on Sunday afternoon. The current racing in NASCAR’s top division is one that does not lend itself of passing on short tracks, as silly as that sounds to even think about.
In the current NASCAR climate, races are won not just on the track, but also in the pits. That is exactly why crew chiefs had to make a risky call in the late going. It was a bit surprising to see a small sampling of crew chiefs do something beyond just four tires with around 50 laps to go, but there were a few takers. No. 5 crew chief Cliff Daniels was among them with a two-tire call, and it helped Kyle Larson surge to the lead and claim the win.
Larson was not to only one to cash in late. Austin Dillon used the late call to finish 12th and Ryan Blaney ended up seventh. All got a better finish by their crew chief taking a chance late, and if track position continues to be king, the days of making calls from the pit box that are the status quo may be over.
Long Run Pays Off Big Mid-Race
It’s a wonder that a product like Pepto Bismol or Rolaids has not become the official in-race sponsor of crew chief heartburn, because that’s exactly what you saw play out at Martinsville with around 100 laps to go. With the race on a long green-flag run, the conventional logic was to follow the plan in place and pit. But a small number of drivers with 100-lap old tires stayed out a bit longer in hopes that a well-timed caution would fall.
Let’s just say the cards were played right, as the yellow flag on lap 303 played right into the hands of drivers with a tough day. It enabled Joey Logano, Bubba Wallace, Daniel Suarez, Michael McDowell and Martin Truex Jr. to get new life injected into their days. It was especially opportune for Logano, who battled issues with his No. 22 that set him back in the field, and…
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