???? A Scary Moment on Pit Road at Pocono Involving AJ Allmendinger’s No. 16 Car
The NASCAR Cup Series race at Pocono Raceway delivered a frightening reminder of the dangers lurking just beyond the track, as AJ Allmendinger’s No. 16 Chevrolet was involved in a near-tragic incident on pit road. In a split-second moment of chaos, Allmendinger lost control while entering his pit box, narrowly missing multiple crew members in what could have ended far worse.
Miraculously, everyone involved walked away without injury.
???? The Incident: Panic on Pit Road
The heart-stopping moment unfolded during a round of green-flag pit stops just past Lap 90. As AJ Allmendinger, driving for Kaulig Racing, approached his pit stall, his car unexpectedly locked up and skidded sideways, spinning partially out of control. The No. 16 Chevrolet came sliding across pit road, kicking up smoke and nearly colliding with several crew members and equipment.
Video replay shows crewmen from both Allmendinger’s team and neighboring stalls jumping out of the way, barely escaping what could have been a serious injury.
???? Instant Response, Incredible Luck
Track safety personnel responded immediately, while pit crews rushed to check on one another. Fortunately, no one was hit. No medical treatment was needed, and Allmendinger remained in the race, visibly shaken but able to continue after a hasty pit stop reset.
Kaulig Racing confirmed after the incident:
“Everyone’s okay. It was a close call, but our guys did what they were trained to do. We’re thankful for quick reflexes and cooler heads.”
????️ Allmendinger Reacts: “Scariest Pit Stop of My Life”
In his post-race interview, AJ Allmendinger didn’t hide his emotion:
“Honestly, that was terrifying. I locked up coming in — couldn’t slow it down. The crew was right there, and I thought I was going to hit someone. I’m just so thankful nobody got hurt.”
The veteran driver, known for his road course skills and fiery competitiveness, took full responsibility, but also praised his crew for staying calm and collected.
⚠️ Pit Road Remains NASCAR’s Danger Zone
.
The incident highlighted once again that pit road is one of the most dangerous areas in NASCAR. With cars entering at high speeds, limited visibility, and tight stall spacing, even the slightest miscue can become a life-threatening event.
NASCAR officials reviewed the footage and determined no penalties were warranted, classifying the spin as an unintentional event caused by brake lockup — a known risk during hard pit entries at Pocono’s tricky layout.
???? A Close Call, and a Wake-Up Call
Fans, media, and fellow drivers quickly reacted on social media, calling it one of the scariest pit moments of the season. Yet amid the tension, the mood shifted to one of gratitude — for the crew’s alertness, NASCAR’s safety measures, and the outcome that could’ve been so much worse.
Several crew members were seen embracing after the moment passed, with one joking, “Guess it’s time for new underwear.”
???? Final Thoughts
AJ Allmendinger’s scare on pit road at Pocono is a chilling reminder of how thin the line is between precision and disaster in NASCAR. Every tire change, every brake tap, every millisecond counts — not just for position, but for survival.
Thankfully, this time, training, reflexes, and a bit of luck kept the nightmare from becoming reality.
And while Allmendinger and the No. 16 team will review and learn from the incident, the rest of us are just thankful to be talking about a “close call” — and not something much worse.
VIDEO:
