NASCAR Tire Changer Comes Clean on the Pit Stop That Set Erik Jones’ Car on Fire

During the NASCAR Cup Series race at Nashville Superspeedway recently, Erik Jones had a pit stop that was simply on fire. And no, in this context, the words ‘on fire’ aren’t suggestive of a great pit stop.

They literally mean his car caught on fire as he rolled away from the pit road.

As it happened, many were confused as to why it happened or how it happened.

But it was Justin Fiedler, the pit crew member of Jones, who came up with an explanation of how the Next Gen car was suddenly caught up in flames as it began to drive away.

Fiedler posted a video from a camera that’s mounted on his helmet. In that video, it can be seen, as the man himself explained, how the fire simply originated from some sparks that came out as Fiedler was tightening up the left rear and those sparks made contact with the fuel.

Hence, fire.

“The detents on the left side did not release (again) and I was already on the trigger. Caused a few sparks. Sparks+fuel=fire. We did come back and change the LR the next lap. I apologized to Jones on the plane for setting his race car on fire,” he tweeted.

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Erik Jones is getting close to major news on his career

In a recent interview, Erik Jones revealed how close and confident he is of staying with his current team, Petty GMS Motorsports for the next season as well.

“I’ve been in talks with Petty GMS now for about a month I guess at this point. Just kind of finishing things up. Back and forth on all the little stuff, right, that makes a difference,” he said.

“We’re going through that but I feel like we’re getting close.”

Jones is confident that he’ll be back piloting the #43.

And even though they need to work on some things as a team, Erik Jones is happy with the way their ship is cruising.

“We’ve been racing well. Want to stay over there for sure,” he added.

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