How to Understand What's Happening During a Race Pit Stop

Race cars normally require stops for fuel, fresh tires and suspension adjustments. Team members train constantly to accomplish a pit stop in the shortest time possible - every second in the pits means lost track position.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

The Green Flag Pit Stop

1. Remember that when the green flag is displayed, the race is going full-blast. Crews want to reel off a quick pit stop.
2. Watch the car as it approaches the pit. Drivers have been known to spin out because they braked too sharply trying to meet the pit lane speed limit.
3. Watch the driver seek out his designated pit. He's looking for a crew member waving a marker on a long pole.
4. Observe the driver stopping within the pit box, yet giving his crew members room to work.
5. Count the people over the pit wall. NASCAR allows only seven: two tire changers, two tire carriers, a jack operator, a gas man and a man to catch the gas overflow.
6. Check across the pit wall. A crew member may be using a long swab to clean the windshield and another may pass the driver liquids on a long pole.
7. Note how quickly the tires are changed. Lug nuts on replacement wheels are lightly attached with glue so there's no need to hand thread.
8. Remember that lug nuts are tightened with an air-compressor-powered wrench.
9. Watch the tire carriers or perhaps the catch-can holder. One may put an extended wrench through a slot in the rear window to adjust the rear suspension.
10. Remember that tires are normally changed on the side nearest the track first.
11. Watch as crew members run to change the other side. One may pause to clean the grille of debris.
12. Know that if the hood or deck lid is raised or if a crew member crawls under the car for an extended period, it's not a routine pit stop. Something's undoubtedly wrong with the car that will affect its performance.
13. Watch the car launch from the pit stall. The driver wants to reach the pit speed limit quickly to get to the pit exit mark ahead of other competitors.
14. Check your watch. A good pit stop may last just 15 to 16 seconds.

The Yellow Flag Pit Stop

15. Remember that a good pit stop when the caution flag is flying is also vital. Racers can't pass each other on the track during a yellow flag period, but they can gain positions in the pits.
16. Check out cars as they arrive at the pits. Some may be damaged and require crew members to straighten sheet metal or make other jury-rigged repairs.
17. Note that the rules allow those on the lead lap to pit first during any caution period.

Pit Strategy

18. Realize that fresh tires work best, but on ovals it may be possible to change only right-side tires - the ones receiving the most wear.
19. Pay attention late in the race. Some teams may choose a two-tire stop or choose to take on only a partial load of fuel.
20. Check your watch. You'll see it's possible to change right-side tires in the time it takes one 11-gallon can of fuel to be emptied.
21. Listen closely when you hear the words "tight" or "loose." Tight means the car's hard to turn. Loose means the rear end is losing grip. Suspension adjustments may be necessary at the next pit stop.

Tips & Warnings

• Youngsters need ear protection while near operating race engines.
• Open-wheel racing pit stops are different. Open-wheel cars are jacked up by air-pressure-activated jacks onboard the car. These cars have a single large nut securing the wheel to the axle. Open-wheel racers also use a long hose from a storage tank rather than single cans of fuel.