A disturbing incident occurred during the Great American Getaway 400 at Pocono Raceway on Sunday, where a tire from a pitting vehicle hit JP Kealey, the tire changer for Shane van Gisbergen’s crew. Despite the blow that knocked him down, Kealey managed to complete his work and was later admitted to the hospital. It was found that he sustained cracked ribs and a partially collapsed lung, according to reports from Skip Flores on the Stacking Pennies podcast.

In a video captured from inside AJ Allmendinger’s car, it shows a chaotic moment where he inadvertently collided with one of his tire changers, causing the tire to fly towards Kealey’s crew. The impact drove his air gun into his side and pushed him against the rear of Allmendinger’s car as he fell to the ground.

After a brief pause, Kealey managed to stand again and finish a pit stop, but viewers later saw him in pain on the broadcast. Van Gisbergen, following a recent victory in Mexico City, ultimately finished 31st at Pocono.

This Weekend’s Substitute: In response to the incident, Noel ‘Bud’ Merrill Jr. has been appointed as the substitute rear tire changer for the No. 88 crew in preparation for the upcoming Quaker State 400 at Atlanta Motor Speedway.

“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.” — Kaulig Racing