March 3rd, 2010 
T.C. Every week, teams are trying to get any little edge they can. And one way that many teams have found they can gain a small edge with pit stops, is to add a little bit of traction to their pit stalls. At places like Las Vegas, that little bit of traction in the stall can make a big difference on the track.
Each track has it’s own little quirks in terms of pit road. Some have small pit stalls, others have stalls that aren’t square or level, and some places have tall or short pit walls. At Las Vegas, everyone knows that pit road is very slick. For whatever reason, when the concrete was poured on pit road, they didn’t do whatever technique some other tracks have used to rough up the surface. So a smooth surface, combined with the little bit of dust that always seems to linger on the concrete, and you have a recipe for disaster (a.k.a. I just busted my ass).
In the past, teams used a chemical known as VHT to add a little traction to their stalls. I had a conversation on Twitter recently with RacingwithRich.com’s Richard Allen (@RacingWithRich) about this very topic. The drag racing fans out there will know that VHT is very common around their favorite strip, as tracks use it to add grip to their surfaces. But within the last few weeks, NASCAR has decided that teams are no longer allowed to use any sort of chemicals or adhesives in their pit stalls. The only additive we are allowed to use now is your favorite soda.
Before, and even during the race, you may have noticed teams dousing their stalls with soda from cans and bottles. Anybody who has ever spilled a soda knows that it makes a sticky mess. Pit crews are using that stickiness to their advantage. Beyond that, some teams have even discovered that using just the syrup from the soda makes for even better traction.
What this added traction from chemicals or soda really means, is crew members have better traction with their shoes while running around doing pit stops, and the cars will have better grip getting into, and leaving the stalls. And that little bit of extra traction can pay big dividends on the scoring pylon when the checkered flag drops.
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Dont miss the sponsor opportunities here. ; )
“Coca-Cola; The Official sticky drink of the PIT CREW OF TEAM X”
or maybe …
“Everyone knows Dr Pepper is the BEST STICKY when you need a sticky situation”
; )
The only question I have is why did NASCAR ban the use of “foreign substances” on pitroad.
Obviously there is an advantage to the driver to get on and off quickly, but the main issue should be crew members safety as they run around the car/truck during a stop.
The secondary question is, why the hell doesn’t Las Vegas get off their collective butts and grind grooves of some such into pitroad to improve traction for all involved?
I do not recall where I heard this, but I think it was an enviromental issue, however you still see gallons of gasoline spilled all pver pit road during the race weekend so don’t see the difference there.
I have always found it ironic that car is serviced in a pit “stall”, yet to “stall” the car is exactly what the driver desperately attempts not to do.
Traction is indeed a sticky situation. Not enough grip = no forward acceleration, but too much grip = broken rear ends and pinions.
On somewhat of a a side note. I read that the infamous Daytona pothole originated from a gouge in the asphalt from a wreck earlier Speedweeks event that was overlooked. I always cringe when an injured car treking its way around the speedway just diggin a nice mile long groove into the surface.
Maybe, just maybe, the tracks have asked NASCAR to prohibit various substances that could eventually breakdown the molecular structure of the asphalt or concrete on pit road.
instead of cans or bottles, why not buy the restaurant sized containers and hook that up to a garden sprayer?
I race on dirt, so we’re more concerned with the jack sinking in the mud instead.
I got to ask you, T.C., which is better for the pit crew: VHT or cola?
And does NASCAR dislike VHT because it has the ability to soften-up tire tread? Or is VHT outlawed because their maker hasn’t ponied-up dough to be “The Official Traction-Enhancer of NASCAR”?
Ray: Large amounts of Cola would make it slippery. The cola has to be half dried up before it gets sticky. Guess they could pour massive amount of cola on it, then take a large torch (thinking of what they used at Daytona’s pothole) to it to dry it up, not sure if NASCAR would allow that.
Surprised they use Coke, I would think a high sugar cola would be better. At least I think it’s the sugar in the cola that makes it sticky.
T.C.: Can they ONLY us Cola, what about the Beer?? There are several beer sponsors.
JT: Neither one is not good for you but I would think the cola tastes much better!!