Earlier this year, NASCAR introduced the Next Gen car, along with a host of changes. One of them was the switch from five-lug nuts to single-lug nuts. Unfortunately, the changes did not find many takers and fans poured their emotions through their social media accounts. Considering that there have been multiple loose-wheel incidents throughout the year, many fans felt vindicated.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Recently, NASCAR on NBC’s Twitter account compared the pit stops of the Cup and Xfinity Series. This was because the Xfinity cars still use five-lug nuts. Naturally, the Cup cars registered a much quicker pit stop, yet the fans remained unconvinced about the feasibility of a one-lug nut. The video compared the pit stops of newly crowned champion Joey Logano and Xfinity Series champion Ty Gibbs.
How did NASCAR fans react to the Cup and Xfinity pit stop comparison?
There were plenty of negative reactions from both ends of the spectrum. Many believed that downgrading to a single-lug nut was taking away the spirit of competition. In essence, the teams were not being encouraged to compete with one another. Others insist that the presence of more lug-nuts helps promote more teamwork. However, a few others also pointed out the drawback of a one-lug nut. It could be an enormous problem if it got stuck during the pit stops, they argued.
I personally still believe having one lug takes away competition. NASCAR is mandating to much and not allowing the teams to compete.
Imo js— Jason Majewski (@jastone29) November 25, 2022
More lug nuts makes for more competitive spirit in pit stops. Keeps the Team as a vital part of the race.
— Patrick O (@RelaxedPatrick) November 25, 2022
5 lugs was the ONLY thing left on the car that makes it a stock car?
— Ken (@spaz034) November 26, 2022
So what's your point. All the cup cars have the same advantage and they don't race against xfinity cars. Trouble is, sometimes that one big nut gets stuck and then the cup car is in big trouble.
— tex wardfan (@texwardfan22) November 26, 2022
Got easier (well still a stressful job ) but I prefer the 5 lug nuts, c’mon sometimes u got to keep it old school!!!!
— ERIC🇨🇦 (@Eelsportsnutt) November 26, 2022
How many wheels came of an xfinity car in 2022?
— doug lindsay (@douglindsay3) November 26, 2022
Fans even pointed out that there were very few loose wheel issues with the Xfinity cars. Some even acknowledged that it may be less stressful for the pit crew, but they preferred the five-lug nut system. Interestingly, there were people who defended the single-lug nut system. According to them, the example from the Xfinity Series was not exactly the best one to compare with Logano’s stop.
Didn’t exactly use the best stop for the 5 lug example…
— Brian Murphy (@Brian_Murphy_) November 25, 2022
Tough comparison. Since the JGR are doing some Mickey Mouse dance and think it is a waltz. When they are doing a Foxtrot.
Could of picked a better pit stop for sure
— Christopher Herbert🇳🇿 (@thewowpoetnz) November 26, 2022
Yep, the exact amount of how bad one nut sucks.
— Smillyborge (@smillyborge) November 26, 2022
Not a fair comparison, the 54 team obviously had a few issues during that stop. You need to have the average cup pit stop compared to the average Xfinity pit stop to really show the difference.
— tmos2174 (@tmos2174) November 26, 2022
I want 5 back.#Nascar
— Paen Tor Dood (@CaptPainter) November 26, 2022
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Now show the tire falling off in a lap
— Gary (@garyfrom0hio) November 26, 2022
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
The consensus was that the #54 team encountered a few issues. So it was not a fair representation of the average five-lug nut pit stop. A lot of the critics even pointed out that the race to be the fastest in the pits could lead to the tires literally falling off.
WATCH THIS STORY: NASCAR Insider ‘Reveals’ “Cash Exchange” Between Bubba Wallace and Ty Gibbs for Mind-Boggling Reason