Update: February 27th, 6:40pm EST
FOX Sports’ Jamie Little confirms an earlier report from TobyChristie.com that the crew member that was hit was Joshua Shipplett.
An update on Daniel Hemric (NXS) and Denny Hamlin (Cup) crew member Josh Shipplett: pic.twitter.com/n0SwBcd95W
— Jamie Little (@JamieLittleTV) February 27, 2021
Shipplett was taken to the infield care center to be evaluated for rib pain. It’s unknown at this time if Shipplett will be available tomorrow to pit the No. 11 of Denny Hamlin for the Dixie Vodka 400.
Original Story :
The first round of pit stops during the Contender Boats 250 at Homestead featured a scary moment for the Joe Gibbs Racing camp.
Daniel Hemric came onto pit road for a pit stop before the end of Stage 1, and appeared to have a bad entrance into his pit box. In the process, Hemric struck a tire carrier that was holding two Goodyear tires.
A scary moment as the No. 18 of @DanielHemric makes contact with his tire carrier on pit road.#ContenderBoats250 pic.twitter.com/jaVsJH5G16
— NASCAR Xfinity (@NASCAR_Xfinity) February 27, 2021
The video shows that Hemric ran over the right foot of his tire carrier, sending him to the ground before quickly getting back up and off of a live pit road. Both tires being carried were also knocked out of Hemric’s pit stall, adding time to the pit stop under caution. The runaway tires did not warrant a traditional penalty for Hemric, due to the crew member being struck according to FOX Sports’ Bob Pockrass.
NASCAR says considering the crew member was struck by the car, judgment was no penalty for uncontrolled tire. (and this is me talking — he would have started behind 2-3 lapped cars if there was a penalty as he already was restarting 32nd).
— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) February 27, 2021
The crew roster for the No. 18 NXS entry lists Joshua Shipplett as the tire carrier for Hemric. Shipplett is also listed as the tire carrier for the No. 11 Cup entry of Denny Hamlin for this weekend’s Dixie Vodka 400.
No further update was given on the condition of the tire carrier, but he was able to walk back to the pit wall.
Hemric rallied to finish Stage 1 in the third position, with A.J. Allmendinger claiming the stage win for Kaulig Racing.
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