Hendrick Motorsports Overhauls Kyle Larson’s Pit Crew for NASCAR Cup Series Race
In a shocking move, Hendrick Motorsports has completely revamped Kyle Larson’s pit crew, leaving only one member unchanged ahead of the upcoming NASCAR Cup Series race at Darlington Raceway.
The new pit crew lineup includes Jafar Hall as the front tire changer, Mike Moss as the rear tire changer, Allen Stallings as the tire carrier, and Eric Ludwig as the jackman. These members were transferred to Larson’s No. 5 team from Spire Motorsports, where they previously worked on the No. 7 Chevrolet of Justin Haley.
Crew chief Cliff Daniels explained the decision, stating, “It was a decision that we didn’t take lightly and spent a lot of time to try to be calculated with how we went about it.” Daniels expressed gratitude towards the previous crew members while acknowledging the need for a change to improve performance.
Brandon Harder remains as the fueler for Larson’s team, providing some continuity amidst the significant shake-up.
This is not the first time that Hall and Ludwig have worked on Larson’s car, as they filled in during previous races due to suspensions within the team. The adjustments come after previous penalties for issues such as a right front wheel coming off during a race at Circuit of the Americas.
Larson, currently second in the championship standings with one victory and five top-10 finishes, is expected to benefit from the fresh talent and energy brought by the new pit crew members.
Hendrick Motorsports’ bold decision to overhaul Larson’s pit crew demonstrates their commitment to optimizing performance and staying competitive in the NASCAR Cup Series. The upcoming race at Darlington Raceway will be a true test of how well the new team gels together under pressure.
