The Unbelievable Moment a Rival Pit Crew Helped Bubba Wallace in the Middle of a Race
Bubba Wallace arrived at Richmond Raceway in strong form after winning a stage earlier in the night. He climbed to second place and looked set for a solid finish, but a pit stop error broke his momentum and nearly ended his run. What happened next stunned viewers and changed the direction of the story.
A Pit Mistake That Set Off Chaos
During a Lap 308 stop, Wallace’s jack dropped before his left front wheel was secured. His car left the pit box too early, and his crew tried to wave him back. He did not receive the message in time and continued rolling forward. The tire then detached as he moved down the pit road with no quick fix available.
Radio traffic grew urgent while Wallace looked for any chance to limit the damage. The team then spotted the pit stall of Joe Gibbs Racing driver Chase Briscoe and made a fast call. Wallace received the order to stop in the No. 19 box. The JGR crew jumped in and reattached the wheel. Wallace rejoined the race without a penalty, though he returned in 31st place and three laps behind the field.
An Unusual Assist Between Toyota Teams
The decision to help Wallace came through the alliance between 23XI Racing and Joe Gibbs Racing. Both teams share equipment support and operate under the Toyota banner.
NASCAR rarely sees a driver serviced by another active team, especially during green flag conditions. The move stood out as one of the most memorable moments of the season. JGR’s fast work prevented a harsher setback that could have included a penalty or a tow.
Wallace’s Season of Pit Road Frustration
Image via Wikimedia Commons/Zach Catanzareti Photo
The Richmond wheel problem connected to a larger pattern for Wallace. His 23XI group endured multiple pit errors in previous races at Nashville, Kansas, and Charlotte. At Nashville, a loose wheel incident triggered a stop-and-go situation that dropped him through the field and sparked an angry reaction during a rain delay. Wallace has since carried the burden of these mistakes while trying to race into playoff form.
Crew chief Bootie Barker acknowledged the repeated setbacks and the mental toll they created. The issue ties back to the team’s structure. The team leases its pit crews from Joe Gibbs Racing, which limits direct control and slows improvement efforts.
Playoff Spot Softens the Blow
Richmond did not end with the finish Wallace wanted, though the timing of the mistake eased the sting. He had already locked himself into the playoffs for the first time before the final race, which removed a large cloud of pressure. The assistance from Briscoe’s crew kept the night from collapsing into a worse outcome and preserved the bigger picture.