During this past Sunday’s Toyota/Save Mart 350 at the Sonoma Raceway, an unexpected incident on Lap 51 prompted a caution. While most would expect that the caution was a result of an on-track incident or some significant debris, it is surprising to know that it was triggered by a loose tire on the pit road. And upset by the chain of events, a Joe Gibbs Racing official’s frustration-filled rant over the radio caught the attention of fans.

Interestingly, it was the same Joe Gibbs official who also harshly criticized Ryan Blaney over the radio for spinning out while running in the Top 10 in the Cup race. And expressing his views on the ‘unnecessary’ caution, he once again made it to the Radioactive highlights.

Joe Gibbs Racing Official Gets Mad Over ‘Unnecessary’ Caution

The unexpected turn of events on the pit road sparked discussions surrounding the need for caution. And upset with the decision, Joe Gibbs Racing’s #19 crew chief James Small was heard ranting over the radio.

He said, “I guess that’s one way to get a caution. Let your tire roll across the f**king road.”

Apart from this, Smalls criticized Ryan Blaney’s performance. During the race, the Martin Truex Jr crew chief was heard saying, “Blaney has run like a broke d**k.”

WATCH THIS STORY: Joe Gibbs Loyalist Denny Hamlin Sends a Message to Truex Jr, C-Bell, & Ty’s Teams After What Happened at the Gateway

But Was the Caution Really Necessary?

NASCAR’s decision to throw a caution rose significant questions. With many pointing out reasons in favor of NASCAR throwing a caution, others explained why there was no need for it. The presence of a loose tire on the pit road indeed posed a significant risk. Contact with the tire could have damaged a vehicle or resulted in a potential injury. And amidst a green flag pit stop, sending a crew member to retrieve the tire could have been dangerous and hence, it was important for the governing body to take a quick decision.

However, at the same time, many argued that since the tire was not obstructing the race track, caution was not necessary. Cars already move at a slower pace on the pit road, and the moment the incident occurred, the road was not exactly busy. Moreover, a Local Yellow signal might have helped the crew member to quickly go and retrieve the tire without hampering the entire race with caution.

Well, there’s no doubt that ultimately both viewpoints hold merit. NASCAR’s need to prioritize safety called for a quick decision. However, the nuances by which it could be avoided are something that the governing body needs to consider moving forward.

READ MORE: Joey Logano Suggests Joe Gibbs Wouldn’t Have Fired Him if He Had “Enough God-Given Talent”