NASCAR Pit Crews Rule

When it comes to being a race fan, I’m a fan of pretty much all forms of motorsports.  It doesn’t matter if it’s NASCAR, drag racing, Formula 1, sports cars, etc.  I like to watch it all.  And one thing I’ve noticed over the years, being the observer that I think I am, is that NASCAR pit crews are by far the best in motorsports.  Not to brag or anything (okay, maybe a little), but we really are. 

I know Indy cars, Formula 1, and some European sports car series’ have faster stops then we do, but look at their pit crews.  NASCAR crews are allowed five guys to change four tires, and crews are in the 12 second range during race conditions.  Formula 1 crews change four tires with as many as 20 mechanics in the stall and can have a car serviced in as little as seven seconds.  IRL teams have one changer for each tire, two fuelers, and don’t even need a jackman as the car has air jacks built in.  They do stops in the eight second range as well, but their pit crew members don’t even have to jump off the wall.  They are already in position when the car enters the stall (except for the right rear guy).  Oh yeah, and did I mention that both Formula 1 and the IRL only have one lugnut per wheel?!  We have to hit five, off and back on!  This means that a NASCAR changer hits the same amount of lugnuts during one stop that an IRL changer would in 10 pit stops.

So lets review.  Formula 1 has a million guys over the wall, no 90lb fuel cans, one lugnut per wheel, and don’t jump off the wall.  IRL has one changer per tire, no jackman is needed, also no fuel cans, no wall to jump off, and one lugnut per wheel.  NASCAR has seven guys, five lugnuts per wheel, 90lb fuel cans, 35lb jacks, 80lb tires to carry, and we have to jump off a wall as the car is entering the stall.  And we are only a few seconds slower…

Undisputed winner: NASCAR crews. 

Subscribe to the Insiders

Related Posts: