Driving the No. 20 Toyota Supra for Joe Gibbs Racing, John Hunter Nemechek’s car clocked the fastest pit stop time at Chicago Street Course in the Xfinity Series. The credit doesn’t go to the 27-year-old though. Instead, it’s the No. 20 Joe Gibbs Racing pit crew that worked as a team in the one-stop race. However, there was a key difference this time around. Pit crew chief Terry Spalding joined the crew members to change the rear tires at The Loop 110.

Recounting the experience of being back amongst the pit crew, Terry Spalding expressed how much he missed being amongst “an awesome bunch of guys” as they worked together to give Nemechek a significant advantage.

Was Terry Spalding the difference-maker for Joe Gibbs Racing’s pit stop?

Despite finishing sixth in qualifying, John Hunter Nemechek was forced to start from the rear after the pit crew discovered an issue with the No. 20 Toyota Supra and was forced to change the engine. According to NASCAR’s rules, any modifications made to the car after it passes inspection will force the driver to start from the rear. This meant that the No. 20 Joe Gibbs Racing pit crew knew that with Nemechek already at a disadvantage, clocking a good pit time would be crucial in a one-stop race. That’s exactly what they did.

Recounting the experience of changing rear tires and being a pit of the crew team once again, Joe Gibbs Racing pit crew coach Terry Spalding said, “It was fun. I still feel like every time I come into work, every time I go to the track, I still feel like I should be changing, not coaching. And I miss it. It was good for me and good for my soul and everything. The 20 Xfinity team here is just an awesome bunch of guys so I got to dig right in there with them. We did the fastest stop of the day at Chicago, it was just a one-stop race. Really, if you wanted to win, we were No. 1 on the board for the fastest stop. You know, let the guys know, maybe I can listen to Terry a little bit.”

Engine and transmission changes are usually not allowed on race weekends, but Chicago was an exception, being a road. However, that was little respite for John Hunter Nemechek, who finished 25th at the Loop 110. Having already won two races in the Xfinity Series, the 27-year-old was hoping for back-to-back victories at Nashville Superspeedway and Chicago Street Course. However, the street circuit isn’t lenient on drivers starting from the back, and despite his fast pit stop, the Joe Gibbs Racing couldn’t crack the top 20.

As for Terry Spalding, the pit crew coach will be encouraged to have a more proactive approach going forward. It can’t be a coincidence that the team fares well when the coach is amongst the crew members. As long as things go smoothly, there is no reason for Spalding not to be involved in future races. Watching Terry Spalding in action went down well with Joe Gibbs Racing fans as well, many of whom took to social media to share their views about the pit stop.

Fans react to Terry Spalding’s ‘hands-on’ approach in Chicago

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Joe Gibbs Racing fans were delighted to see their pit crew chief helping John Hunter Nemechek get back on track quickly at the Chicago Street Course. Despite his age, Spalding swiftly moved from one rear wheel to another, efficiently replacing the older tires with newer ones. Giving his approval, a fan wrote on Instagram, “Can move pretty good for 56!”. Echoing that sentiment, another fan wrote, “He’s still got it. Age is just a number.”

Racing enthusiasts know that when a pit crew member is tightening the lug nuts on a wheel, it’s generally recommended to tighten them in a specific sequence, known as the ‘star pattern’ or a ‘criss-cross pattern’. By doing so, pit crew members ensure that the newer wheel is tightly secured onto the car and the pressure is distributed evenly, reducing the risk of damaging the wheel studs and preventing safety risks. Remembering this, one fan raised a question about Tony Spalding’s tire-changing technique by commenting, “I have one question why did he not do the star pattern?”

Other fans were less technical, simply expressing their happiness at Terry Spalding being a part of the pit crew once again, with one fan saying, “Let’s go Terry! Still getting it done!”. Expressing a similar sentiment, another fan commented, “Way to go! Love to see it.” With six races to go before playoffs begin, fans will hope to see the pit crew coach back in action, hoping that his involvement makes all the difference in the No. 20 Toyota Supra’s overall performance.

What are your thoughts about Terry Spalding’s involvement in the Chicago Street Course? Let us know in the comments!