Tire Changer Hit By NASCAR Truck Series Truck At Talladega, Finishes Pit Stop
There were a few big ones at Talladega Superspeedway during Saturday’s NASCAR Truck Series Playoffs race, including one in pit lane.
Playoff driver Zane Smith was coming into his pit on Lap 20 when he lost control and skidded into the box, slamming into tire changer Charles Plank.
Plank tore off a body panel as he slammed into the right rear quarter panel, but just bounced off and helped finish the tire change.
“I thought I could clear it, but I didn’t clear it, but it looks like I almost cleared it jumping over,” Plank told Fox Sports.
“I’m glad I made it on the decklid instead of getting underneath it.”
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Plank was unharmed, but the collision knocked the two tires he was carrying down pit lane and Smith was forced to take a penalty. His truck was also damaged and later needed to go to the garage, but he came out to finish in 32nd place, completing 55 of the 99 laps that were run by the leaders.
Brett Moffitt won in an overtime finish that was brought on by a multi-car crash caused by contact between Matt Crafton and Nick Sanchez with just over two laps to go.
After the race, Crafton and Sanchez came to blows, with Sanchez telling reporters Crafton tapped him on the shoulder and sucker-punched him when he turned around.
NASCAR is investigating the incident.
The Truck Series heads to Homestead-Miami Speedway on Oct. 21 for the final race in the playoffs’ round of eight, with Corey Heim the only driver locked into the final thanks to his win at Bristol.
He’s followed in the standings by Carson Hocevar, Christian Eckes and Nick Sanchez, with Grant Enfinger, Ben Rhodes, Ty Majeski and Zane Smith all sitting below the cutline.
