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July 16, 2026 3 min read
Most fans see the crash.
The television cameras capture the impact, the caution flag comes out, and within moments the race is back underway.
But what happens after the truck returns to pit road?
That's the side of NASCAR most fans never get to experience.
During our behind-the-scenes access with Niece Motorsports at Lime Rock Park, we had the opportunity to stand alongside the No. 45 team immediately after Landen Lewis returned from an on-track incident. Instead of watching from the grandstands, we listened as the crew evaluated the damage, discussed strategy, and prepared to send the truck back onto the track.
There were no scripted interviews.
No prepared talking points.
Just a candid conversation with Price Alphin, Engineer for the No. 45 Niece Motorsports team, explaining exactly what the crew was seeing.
As someone who has spent more than 40 years in collision repair and restoration, the first question that came to mind was simple.
"How bad was it?"
Looking at the truck, most people would naturally focus on the damage down the right side.
Price didn't.
His attention immediately went to the front of the truck.
The biggest concern wasn't cosmetic damage—it was the nose.
Nose damage affects both aerodynamics and engine cooling, two things that can dramatically change how a NASCAR Truck performs over the remainder of a race.
It was a great reminder that race teams evaluate damage very differently than the average fan.
What looks like a scraped-up body panel from the grandstands may have very little effect on performance, while seemingly minor damage to the front of the truck can completely change how it handles and how effectively it keeps the engine cool.
As the conversation continued, I asked another simple question.
"What place is he going back out?"
The answer surprised me.
Sixth.
Price explained that because the No. 45 team had elected to pit earlier than many of the other competitors, the timing of the caution worked in their favor.
Although the truck had sustained damage, strategy helped put Landen Lewis back near the front of the field.
It's a perfect example of what makes NASCAR so fascinating.
The fastest truck doesn't always win.
Engineering.
Preparation.
Strategy.
Communication.
Sometimes those become just as important as horsepower.
Standing there listening to Price explain what the team was looking for reinforced exactly why Eileen and I created Behind the Scenes with Troy & Eileen.
Most race coverage focuses on what happens after the green flag waves.
We're interested in what happens before the race...
...during the preparation...
...and after the unexpected.
The conversations.
The decisions.
The people.
The processes.
Those are the stories that rarely make the broadcast but are often the most interesting part of race weekend.
Whether it's an engineer diagnosing crash damage, an interior specialist preparing a truck for inspection, a truck chief leading the team, or a mechanic making repairs between sessions, every person contributes to the final result.
Every one of them has a story worth telling.
Our goal isn't simply to take you behind the garage doors.
Our goal is to introduce you to the people who make motorsports possible.
Over the years I've learned that the best conversations almost never happen in front of a camera.
They happen in the shop.
In the garage.
Around the toolbox.
The people doing the work usually have the best stories.
That's exactly what you'll find throughout this series.
Watch my conversation with Price Alphin, Engineer for the No. 45 Niece Motorsports team, as he explains how the crew evaluates crash damage, why the nose became their biggest concern, and how race strategy helped put Landen Lewis back into contention.
Go beyond the garage doors and behind the ropes as we explore the people, places, and processes that keep the automotive and motorsports world moving.
Special thanks to Price Alphin (Engineer), Francis Penas (Truck Chief), Jordy Braden (Underneath Mechanic), Mia Safrit (Interior Specialist), Landen Lewis, Leighton Sibille, Paige Martin, and everyone at Niece Motorsports for welcoming us behind the scenes at Lime Rock Park and helping us tell the stories that most fans never get the opportunity to see.
Because every person has a story.
And sometimes the best stories happen after everyone else stops watching.
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