NASCAR pit crews possess a certain fortitude that allows them the ability to perform in precarious, high-pressure situations. Here at NASCAR.com, we like to honor those who go above and beyond the call of duty in our Pit Road Hall of Hardcore. Today we induct the newest member — Tyler Mitchell, tire carrier for the No. 21 Wood Brothers team. During Monday’s race, he was able to snatch a bouncing, out-of-control tire out of the air like it was a lightly thrown Frisbee.
He was kind enough to answer a few questions for us. See below.
@nascarcasm: OK … like … you caught a bouncing tire … hub and all … in the middle of a pit stop, right out of the air like it was nothing. WHO DOES THAT. If you could, please briefly provide your account of what happened, Thor.
Mitchell: I just remember feeling the 31 hit my tire as I was setting the right front down for our jackman. After that it was all a blur until I caught the tire. Thankfully it turned out well but it could have been a lot worse.
@nascarcasm: The Wood Brothers are known for revolutionizing the speed and strategy of the modern-day pit stop. Would you consider adding to this legacy by proposing that all tires simply be hurled in your direction instead of you carrying them? I mean, you could just grab them out of the air.
Mitchell: Haha, well we are always looking for ways to make a stop faster and if it means I don’t have to carry two tires then I’m open to just catching one.
@nascarcasm: Have you ever been a goalie on a soccer or hockey team? Sure as hell looks like you have.
Mitchell: I’ve never played soccer or hockey, but I guess I might have missed my calling.
@nascarcasm: Is this a move your team works on during pit stop practice? And if not, do you think you might start doing so? Like in NFL training camp when they fire footballs out of a JUGS machine at receivers … but with tires?
Mitchell: That’s not a move we have practiced yet. Our coaches do a good job at putting in worst case scenarios at practice so this might be something to put in next week.
@nascarcasm: Did the team high-five you after this incredible move, or, now that they know you possess the physical capability to grab a bounding tire out of mid-air like it’s a gnat, are they afraid to give you a high five for fear of suffering physical injury?
Mitchell: Right after the stop I was so frustrated with what had just happened that I don’t remember giving anyone a high five. Even though it was a good recovery it wasn’t ideal and cost us time on pit road. But now that we have gotten back home the guys at the shop haven’t let me forget it and given me a few new nicknames.
@nascarcasm: I’m going to list four items. Please list them in the order of which you think would be the most difficult to snatch out of mid air, from least to greatest: pumpkin, drone, eagle, and helmet hurled by Tony Stewart.
Mitchell: Thats a tough one. Assuming Tony Stewart is repeating the same crow-hopped, two-handed throw from Bristol … pumpkin, drone, helmet from Tony, eagle.
@nascarcasm: While we’re all amazed by what you did, what is the most superhuman feat that you have seen another pit crew member pull off on pit road?
Mitchell: The tire Monday was pretty cool but a couple years ago when I was on the No. 2 car when Brad (Keselowski) slid through the box at Pocono and punted Braxton Brannon and Jeremy Ogles. After being hit by a 3,400 pound car, they both popped up, finished the stop and the race.
@nascarcasm: Idea for pit-crew team-building exercise that we think would really favor you – dodgeball, but with fully-inflated tires instead of dodgeballs. What say you?
Mitchell: Im in, I feel like I’d definitely have a shot at winning.