## NASCAR Pit Stops: Inside the Fastest Moments## NASCAR Pit Stops: Inside the Fastest Moments Summary: NASCAR pit stops are meticulously coordinated sequences that occur when vehicles require fuel, tires, or adjustments during a race. These stops are executed with remarkable speed and precision, requiring a well-coordinated team of crew members. What is a Pit Lane? Each NASCAR track features a pit lane, an area where cars reduce their speed before stopping for service. Drivers enter the pit lane prior to the start-finish line and exit after it. The speed limit on pit lanes varies from 30 to 55 mph, depending on the track. Pit Stop Procedure: During a pit stop, vehicles pull into their assigned “pit box” and come to a complete stop. Crew members stand ready on the inside wall of the pit lane and can only enter the box when the car is near the entrance. The tasks performed by the pit crew include changing tires, refueling, and making adjustments to the vehicle. They also remove the windshield tear-off and provide the driver with fresh water. NASCAR Pit Crew Roles: * Manager: Oversees the pit crew and makes strategic decisions. * Car Chief: Assists the manager and supervises mechanics and inspections. * Tire Changers: Responsible for removing and installing tires using pit guns. * Tire Carrier: Carries tires to the changer and may assist in tire removal or installation. * Jackman: Supports the vehicle while tires are changed and signals the driver to depart. * Fuel Tank: Refuels the vehicle using full tanks of racing fuel. * Utility: Not allowed to service the car, but removes windshield tear-offs and provides water to the driver. Speed of NASCAR Pit Stops: Pit stops have become increasingly faster over the years. In 2023, average pit stop times ranged from 10.518 to 14.879 seconds. The Next Gen car, introduced in 2022, has a single lug nut on its tires, further reducing pit stop time. Crew Salaries: Crew member salaries vary based on their position: * Utility: $500 per race * Tire Changers/Carriers: $1,500 per race * Jackmen/Fuelers: $3,000 per race Pit Lane Location for Chicago Street Race: The pit lane for the 2023 NASCAR Chicago Street Race was located on South Columbus Drive, allowing drivers to access it just after exiting the final turn.
Pit stops are among the most coordinated moments of a NASCAR race. But what exactly happens and how fast are they really?
Four new tires and twenty gallons of fuel are added to a vehicle in about the time it takes to tie your shoelaces. Not only that, but other cars are driving at highway speed as crew members complete these tasks in the blink of an eye.
Below is a summary of everything you need to know about pit stops in NASCAR, including the roles, crew salaries, and more:
What is a pit lane in NASCAR?
Every track on the NASCAR circuit has a pit lane. This is an area outside the racing surface where cars drive at reduced speed before stopping to adjust their speed.
Pit roads vary in length depending on the track, but you typically enter pit road just before the start-finish line and exit just after it. On pit road, drivers are required to drive at a slower speed, anywhere from 30 to 55 mph, depending on the size and width of the pit road at a particular track. The pit road speed for Chicago is set at 40 mph.
Pit boxes are located on the inside of the pit lane, with each driver having his own ‘box’ or ‘cubicle’. Crew members from each team remain at their box for the duration of the race, waiting for their driver to stop for tyres, fuel and set-ups.
What is a pit stop in NASCAR?
Pit stops occur during a NASCAR race when drivers need more fuel, new tires, or have damage.
Drivers drive down the pit lane, driving at the posted speed limit, then pull into their box and come to a complete stop. The car must be in the box before the crew can start it. Crew members must stand on the inside wall of the pit as the car approaches, and they are only allowed to jump into the box when the car is within one box of the entrance, for safety reasons.
During a pit stop, the pit crew performs a number of tasks. They may change zero, two, or all four tires. The gasman is responsible for refueling the car. Teams may also make adjustments to the car, which can take more time.
In addition to servicing the car, pit crews service the driver by removing the windshield tear-off, which is essentially a giant clear sticker that covers the entire windshield. Teams remove the tear-offs from the windshield during the race so that the driver has a clear view of the track. Pit crews can also provide the driver with fresh bottles of water through the window as needed.
What are the roles of a NASCAR pit crew?
Like any sport, NASCAR teams have designated positions with specific roles. Here’s a full breakdown:
Manager: If you’re looking for a “head coach,” this is it. The crew chief sits atop the pit box and essentially runs the show – deciding on car setup, making adjustments when to pit, and talking to the driver on the radio regularly.
Car chief: If a crew chief is the head coach, the car chief is the highest assistant. Car chiefs work with crew chiefs on all of the above tasks, as well as supervising mechanics and making sure the car passes technical inspection.
Tire changers: There are two tire changers – one changing the two front tires and one changing the two rear tires. As the car approaches the box, the tire changers run to the other side of the car and get into position to change the first tire. Using a pit gun, they loosen the lug nut, remove the old tire, put on a new one and retighten the lug nut before running around the car to repeat the process on the other side.
Tire carrier: Only one tire carrier is allowed on the wall. Different teams have different choreographies, so the carrier will sometimes carry one or two tires at a time. The tire carrier may also be responsible for helping to remove the old tire or install the new tire.
Jan: The jackman’s role is to support the vehicle while the tires are being changed. This position is crucial, as the jackman cannot lower the vehicle until both tires on a given side have been completely changed. If the vehicle is lowered too early, the tire changer may have difficulty securing the tire. Once the jackman lowers the vehicle, that is the universal signal to the driver that he is free to drive away.
Fuel tank: During a pit stop, two full cans of racing fuel can be added to the car. The gas tank is located on the side closest to the wall, so the fueler only takes a few steps and fills the car with fuel. Once the first can is empty, another full can is slid over the wall to finish the job.
Utility: Six crew members are allowed over the wall during a pit stop, but the sixth – a utility man – is not allowed to service the car. This position is only allowed to tear off the tear-off from the windshield and hand the driver water bottles through the window.
How fast is the average NASCAR pit stop?
Pit stops have only gotten quicker in recent years as crews become more athletic and stops become more choreographed. Additionally, the Next Gen car – introduced in 2022 – will have just one lug nut on its tires, compared to five lug nuts on previous NASCAR vehicles.
Through the first 16 races of the 2023 season, average pit stop times have ranged from 10.518 seconds to 14.879 seconds, according to the Fantasy Racing Cheat Sheet. Pit stop times continue to improve by the week, with several teams posting sub-10-second stops this past Sunday at Nashville Superspeedway.
How Much Money Do NASCAR Pit Crews Make?
Crew members’ salaries depend on their position.
According to Sportskeeda, a utility member earns $500 on race day. That salary increases with each position, with tire changers and carriers reportedly earning $1,500 per race, and jackmen and fuelers earning $3,000 per race. With 38 race weekends during the season, that gives pit crew members plenty of opportunities to earn money.
Crew members can also earn extra bonus money. Denny Hamlin, who drives for Joe Gibbs Racing, has publicly said that he gives his team bonus money if they win. There is also a Pit Crew Challenge for the All-Star Race, where the team gets $100,000 in bonus money to share.
Where is the pit lane for the NASCAR Chicago Street Race?
The pit lane for the 2023 NASCAR Chicago Street Race was located on a two-block stretch of South Columbus Drive, across from Buckingham Fountain.
Drivers turned right to enter pit lane just after exiting the 12th and final turn of the course. As they exited pit lane, drivers approached the entrance to turn one.
