NASCAR

The calm before the storm

RACE DAY

RUNDOWN NASCAR’S SNEAK PEEK INSIDE ALL THE ACTION

Curated and Designed by Beverly Talakua

Behind the scenes Gearing up for the race

Track shapes Most NASCAR tracks are oval-shaped, meaning drivers must MASTER TURNING LEFT. This unique style of racing means drivers have to develop skills for high-speed left turns.

Before any race starts, preparations begin as early as 6 AM for both a driver and their teams!

This includes day-of medical screenings for the drivers, mandatory strategy meetings with their teams, and car check ups to make sure everything is up to standard.

400

Team Strategy Meetings A driver is nothing without their team and it’s crucial that everyone on race day is on the same page. You’ll notice that racing is not just about being the fastest, it’s a game of playing smart too.

Teams come together to discuss their race strategy plans and any changes that may change the outcome of a race. For example, elements such as weather/winds, track type, competitors, and more can cause major shifts to a team’s strategy plan.

tasks

Around 400 tasks are completed by the pit crew and team members in the hours leading up to a race.

300

radios

A typical race might have up to 200-300 pieces of radio communication between the driver and the team.

In Figure 1 on the right, you’ll see how most teams organize their strategy by discussing these important aspects of a race. A team and their driver have to be prepared for things to change mid-race. By having these meetings, they ensure they cover all the bases of what could go wrong and how to get the best advantage.

100+

Sims

Many teams use advanced simulators to run 100+ different race scenarios before the actual event.

Pit crew basics “ ”

FUELER is 8. THE responsible for

refueling the car during the pit stop.

A great pit crew doesn’t just make a car go fast; they make a driver believe they can win.

-Dale Earnhardt Jr.

THE PIT CREW is a highly

skilled team responsible for keeping the race car in peak condition during the intense moments of a NASCAR race. Each member plays a critical role in performing lightning-fast tasks like tire changes, refueling, and mechanical adjustments, all within seconds.

Pit crew efficiency can make or break a race, as a few seconds gained or lost in the pit lane can determine a driver’s position on the track. This team operates with precision, teamwork, and training, ensuring the car stays competitive and the driver has the support needed to succeed.

1.

THE REAR TIRE CARRIER assists the rear tire changer with removing and replacing the rear tires.

REAR TIRE 2. THE CHANGER is responsible for removing and replacing the back tires during a pit stop.

PIT STOPS

Temperatures

margin of victory

The world record for the fastest pit stop time is 8.45 SECONDS made back in 2022. That’s how long it takes to tie both your shoes!

The inside of a NASCAR car can reach temperatures over 130° during a race. Drivers lose between 5-10 pounds while racing, making hydration a critical part of race day preparation.

The tightest margin of victory in NASCAR Cup Series history is 0.001 seconds, made in 2024 by Kyle Larson at Kansas Speedway.

racing in the drivers seat

During a race, a driver juggles speed, strategy, and precision, navigating intense turns, and managing their car’s performance. In this section, we’ll explore the crucial elements that keep them in the race such as tire wear, fuel strategy, and split-second decisions.

Tire degradation

High Speed Turns

As drivers speed up and race, track temperatures rise quickly, playing an important role in tire degradation rates. Keep in mind that tracks can also heat up from the weather on the day of the race. This is why strategy meetings the day of are important, so teams can assess weather factors into their strategy.

A G is unit of acceleration that is used to described a significant amount of force. Drivers experience up to 3 G’s of acceleration when doing high speed turns. To put this into perspective, when you experience 3 G’s, the force is similar to your weight x the number of G’s you are experiencing.

For example, if a racer weighs around 180 lbs, they would experience about 540 lbs of pressure.

It’s wise for them to do a pit stop during these intervals in order to change their tires and avoid accident.

In the figure on the right, we can see that as the race goes on and temperatures on the track begin to climb to higher rates, the amount of laps a driver can complete with the same tires begins to lessen. This means that the frequency of pit stops will increase because the driver will not be able to complete as many laps without blistering their tires. While keeping this in mind, teams must discuss their plan before the race as well as the risks they are willing to take regarding pit stops in order to increase their overall winning advantage.

7.

In the figure below, you’ll see that a car

also needs a force to turn. Similar to a ball on a string, the car constantly tries to go straight, but friction between the tires and the track provides the inward, “center-seeking” (centripetal) force needed to keep it turning at high speeds.

2500

Mi

The amount of gas used during an average NASCAR race is comparable to driving an average family car across the US and back, totaling to an approximately 2500 mile trip.

200

mph

NASCAR cars can reach speeds of up to 200 miles per hour (mph) and can accelerate from 0-60 mph in just 3 seconds.

18

seconds

It takes a NASCAR car 18 seconds to cover 1 mile and 1 minute to cover 3 miles.

Becoming part of the crew

THE UTILITY MAN assists with cleaning the windshield, adjusting car components, or making small repairs.

CREW CHIEF is 6. THE the leader of the pit

FROM Football to NASCAR

crew and oversees the entire race strategy.

Many pit crew members come from athletic backgrounds, particularly college and professional football players, as the physical demands of both roles are similar.

Physical training Pit crew members train as rigorously as athletes. Their workouts often include sprints, strength training, and drills.

A tire changer might handle a 70-pound tire multiple times during a race, requiring exceptional upper body strength and endurance.

FRONT TIRE 5. THE CHANGER performs

the same tasks as the rear tire changer but on front tires.

JACKMAN is 3. THE responsible for lifting the car with a jack so that the tire changers can remove and replace the tires.

FRONT TIRE 4. THE CARRIER works with

the front tire changer to handle the old and new tires during the pit stop.

recruitment NASCAR teams sometimes recruit directly from athletic combines or training camps. The Pit Crew Combine, similar to the NFL Combine, tests skills like reaction time, strength, and teamwork to identify top candidates.

MARTIN TRUEX JR. 2017 Cup Series Champ

KYLE BUSCH 2019 Cup Series Champ

KYLE LARSON 2021 Cup Series Champ

JOEY LOGANO 2024 Cup Series Champ

Overall wins: 34 Advantage: Dominating 1.5 mile tracks & Consistency

2x Champion Advantage: Aggressive Racing Style & Track Awareness

Overall wins: 29 Advantage: Strong Car Control Skills & Versatility

3x Champion Advantage: Aggressive Racing & Tactical Decision-Making

into the finish line

Victory celebrations in NASCAR are a blend of tradition, emotion, and excitement, marking the culmination of intense competition. From iconic burnouts to jubilant moments in Victory Lane, these celebrations capture the passion and teamwork that define the sport.

Victory lane

Purse money distributions

After crossing the finish line, NASCAR drivers celebrate with a few iconic rituals that have become part of the sport’s culture. They participate in a burnout, where drivers often rev their engines and spin their tires to create smoke, celebrating their victory right on the track while fans cheer. Then, they drive to Victory Lane, where the true celebration kicks off. Once there, team members and fans gather around to greet the driver, congratulating them and savoring the win together.

NASCAR championship races feature substantial prize pools, such as the $11.7 million purse for the 2024 NASCAR Cup Series Championship.

However, the exact earnings for drivers are not publicly disclosed because the prize money is distributed to the winning team, not just to the driver. The team then allocates the funds according to contractual agreements. The distribution ensures that not only the driver but also the crew, team engineers, and other essential personnel benefit from the success, highlighting the team-oriented nature of NASCAR racing.

In Victory Lane, the winning driver takes part in the traditional champagne spray, shaking and spraying bottles to celebrate with the crew, sponsors, and other supporters.

This celebration is a hard-earned release after hours of intense competition, marking the culmination of teamwork and skill on the track as well as a shared victory for the crew and driver.

With all that money at stake in the world of competitive racing, it’s no wonder why there are so many Americans tuning into all the action both in person at the events, as well as on TV.

$28

Mil

The largest purse in NASCAR History is $28 million dollars for the 2024 Daytona 500.

250

K

In-Person spectators at these races have reached numbers as high as 250,000 at notable race tracks such as the Daytona 500.

10

Mil

NASCAR is one of the most watched motor sport in the US, gathering a TV audience of approximately 10 million viewers.

Looking forward

Beyond the checkered flag Racing forward with innovation, inclusion, and sustainability— NASCAR’s future is as dynamic as the sport itself.

Photo of NASCAR’s Internship Program in 2022

Diversity initiatives

technicological advancements

rule changes & new tracks

NASCAR has intensified efforts to promote diversity and inclusion within the sport. Their Drive for Diversity Program offers training and opportunities to drivers and pit crew members from diverse backgrounds.

In 2022, NASCAR introduced the Next Gen car, marking a pivotal shift in vehicle design and technology. The Next Gen car also aims to reduce costs and attract new manufacturers by standardizing parts.

NASCAR continually updates its rules to enhance competition and safety. For the 2022 season, officials set a baseline of 670 horsepower and a 4-inch rear spoiler for most tracks, aiming to balance speed and control.

The NASCAR Diversity Internship Program, established in 2000, has provided over 500 college students with industry experience, fostering a more inclusive workforce.

Looking ahead, NASCAR is exploring electrification. In July 2024, the organization unveiled an all-electric prototype race car, developed in partnership with ABB.

The sport has also expanded its schedule to include new venues, such as the addition of street courses and dirt tracks, providing diverse racing experiences and engaging a broader audience.

Thank you for exploring NASCAR with us—where history meets horsepower and the future races on!