SONOMA, Calif. — Tensions flared during the NASCAR Cup Series race at Sonoma Raceway on Sunday when Ty Gibbs, driving the No. 54 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota, ignited a pit road altercation by running into Brad Keselowski’s pit box. The incident, which occurred during Stage 2 pit stops on Lap 52 of the Toyota/Save Mart 350, appeared to stem from frustration after an on-track clash earlier in the race.
Gibbs, who had been bumped by RFK Racing’s Chris Buescher in Turn 11, lost several positions. The contact seemed to set the stage for the contentious moment on pit lane. As Gibbs entered his pit stall, positioned directly in front of Keselowski’s No. 6 RFK Racing Ford, he veered close to the No. 6 crew, clipping a tire held by front tire changer Telvin McClurkin. The impact twisted McClurkin’s wrist, slowing Keselowski’s pit stop and sparking immediate backlash.
McClurkin, visibly upset, approached Gibbs’ pit box to confront the No. 54 crew, leading to a heated shoving match between members of both teams. NASCAR officials quickly intervened to break up the scuffle, which drew attention from fans and media alike. Social media posts on X suggested Gibbs’ maneuver was intentional, with some users calling for penalties, arguing the move endangered pit crew members. Others speculated Gibbs mistook Keselowski’s car for Buescher’s, given the earlier on-track incident.
NASCAR reviewed the incident and deemed Gibbs’ actions within the rules, noting drivers are permitted to pass through up to three pit boxes to reach their own. Gibbs defended his approach, asserting he had the right of way as the lead car. Despite the controversy, he maintained focus and rallied for a strong seventh-place finish, securing a top-10 result in a race dominated by road-course specialist Shane van Gisbergen.
The incident highlighted the intensity of NASCAR’s competitive environment, particularly as Gibbs and Keselowski both chase playoff spots with only a handful of regular-season races remaining. Keselowski, a former Cup Series champion, finished 11th but struggled to match Gibbs’ pace late in the race. The clash added fuel to an already heated rivalry between Joe Gibbs Racing and RFK Racing, with fans on X buzzing about the drama and its potential implications.
As the Cup Series moves to the next race, the focus remains on whether Gibbs’ aggressive pit road tactics will draw further scrutiny or if the incident will fade as a momentary flare-up in the high-stakes world of NASCAR racing.
Ty Gibbs, never free from controversy.
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