Shocking moment NASCAR mechanic is struck by a flying tire during pit stop
By JAKE NISSE
A shocking moment occurred during a NASCAR race last weekend when a pit crew member was struck by a flying tire.
JP Kealey was working as a tire changer for Shane Van Gisbergen when fellow Trackhouse Racing driver AJ Allmendinger came in for a pit stop at the same time as Van Gisbergen.
But things went awry at the Pocono Raceway when Allmendinger, as seen in footage from his car, slid deep into his pit box and knocked a tire out of his own pit crew member's hands.
That caused the tire to go flying towards a nearby Kealey, and the object drove his air gun into his side.
Kealey, a former pro lacrosse player, was seen briefly hunched over in pain on the ground before resuming his work.
However, it was later revealed by Skip Flores of the Stacking Pennies podcast that Kealey had been hospitalized with two cracked ribs.
Tire changer JP Kealey was struck by a tire during a pit stop at a NASCAR race last week
Kealey briefly dropped to the ground in pain before resuming the stop for Shane Van Gisbergen
Kealey then added to Bozi Tatarevic that he had also suffered a partially collapsed lung.
Following the scary moment, rookie driver Van Gisbergen finished 31st at The Great American Getaway 400.
Trackhouse Racing has since named Noel 'Bud' Merrill Jr. as a substitute rear tire changer for this weekend's Quaker State 400 at Atlanta Motor Speedway.
According to an online bio, Kealey played lacrosse collegiately at Robert Morris University, and was the 10th overall pick of the National Lacrosse League Draft in 2017.
He began his pro playing career with the New England Blackwolves before suiting up for the Buffalo Bandits.
Kealey also works as an assistant boys' varsity lacrosse coach for Charlotte Latin School in North Carolina.
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