Losing any pit crew member is tough on a team, but losing a tire changer is even tougher.
Rear tire changer Jon Moore of the Roush Fenway Racing No. 17 team for Ricky Stenhouse Jr. will be out for the majority of the season after tearing the labrum in his right shoulder during the first stop at Martinsville. Moore finished the race but knew he had potentially hurt himself.
"I went to pull the left rear tire out during the stop and it didn't come out clean," Moore said. "I felt something pop and knew I was in trouble."
Martinsville is the most difficult place to get left rear tires out without dragging, and when a tire changer loads up to pull the tire and it doesn't move -- it's not good.
Longtime RFR tire changer Cory Baldwin will take Moore's place. Baldwin was changing on the No. 6 RFR team until getting moved over to the No. 17.
Moore says he's not sure on the timeline for his return but hopes to be back toward the end of this year.
For more pit crew news, visit PitTalks.com.