NASCAR Cup Series Tire Changer Shares Details of Pit Stop Accident That Led to Broken Rib and Collapsed Lung
Updated Jul. 5, 2025, 8:33 p.m. ET
Bob Pockrass, FOX Motorsports Insider
CHICAGO — A Harrowing Experience
JP Kealey recently experienced a life-altering moment when a flying tire struck him in the chest during a race at Pocono Raceway two weeks ago. As the rear tire changer for Shane van Gisbergen, Kealey was in the middle of performing a pit-stop when the incident occurred. Following this frightening moment, he sustained a broken rib and a collapsed lung, prompting him to reluctantly visit the infield medical center and subsequently a hospital for observation.
Instinct Over Adversity
Reflecting on his father’s lessons from his childhood as an athlete involved in hockey and lacrosse, Kealey said, “Ever since I was a kid, my dad always told me, ‘Unless your leg is broken or something, you better get up off the floor of the ice and get back to the bench. phdream 22 login bonus’ That’s just kind of the standard for who I was, and what my dad instilled in me.” Kealey knew he had to finish his job on the track before dealing with his injuries. “It was kind of just instinctual,” he remarked. “As soon as it happened, I picked up my [air] gun and I knew I had a job to finish.
Ready to Return
This weekend, Kealey is back and set to work the Cup race at the Chicago street course, eager to change tires for the leading contender as he aims for his second win of the season. “I feel pretty good,” Kealey shared. “I can do just about anything other than bench heavy weights, which won’t affect my performance on the pit road. I’m ready to go and get after it this week.”
A Journey from Professional Lacrosse to Pit Crews
Kealey has a background as a professional lacrosse player, and he transitioned to NASCAR when the league’s activities halted due to COVID-19. He has been no stranger to potential injuries in sports, yet this situation was different — a tire striking him is relatively rare. When AJ Allmendinger approached to pit, he clipped the tire being held by Kealey, which flew into him as he was moving around his car. betso88 log in
“You kind of get used to the idea of maybe getting hit by a car,” Kealey explained. He described how he was focused on avoiding a collision with Allmendinger’s car when the tire unexpectedly struck him. “I didn’t really have a whole lot of time to react. I definitely felt it once it got there.”
A Tough Decision
After the impact, Kealey suspected that he broke a rib, recalling, “When the tire hit me, I kind of knew I broke my rib. I felt a pop.” However, his first priority was to complete the pit stop. It wasn’t until he felt difficulty breathing that he realized the gravity of his situation.
Elite Teams and High Stakes
Many pit crew members come from competitive sports backgrounds, bringing with them the ability to perform under pressure and the skill to master complex tasks through ongoing practice. mnl777. com atlantic records After the incident, Kealey wasn’t cleared to fly and had to drive back to North Carolina. Fortunately, he received medical clearance to fly to Chicago and couldn’t wait to get back to work.
Kealey recounted that during his college lacrosse days, he played for eight months with a torn ACL and meniscus. “It’s part of it, right?” he said. “We’re all athletes. The danger of it is part of what makes it fun. Stuff happens in any sport that you play.” He remains determined to continue doing his job without fear holding him back.
Safety and Resolve
Kealey is aware of the risks involved in his role, especially considering he is often surrounded by high-speed cars and hazardous equipment. While crew members don protective clothing and helmets, he understands that no equipment can entirely prevent injuries from unforeseen accidents like flying tires. “People have been joking and asking if I’m going to wear a flak jacket,” he mentioned, but he remains unfazed. “I’m not too worried about it. 888 poker It was just a freak accident. I’m going to go out there and just continue to do my job.”
Bob Pockrass covers NASCAR and INDYCAR for FOX Sports. With decades of experience in motorsports reporting, including over 30 Daytona 500s, he has also worked with ESPN, Sporting News, NASCAR Scene magazine, and The (Daytona Beach) News-Journal. Follow him on Twitter @bobpockrass.
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