Most gas men carry two at a time, and each container can weigh up to 90 pounds. It's pretty much an upside-down jug with a long spout that the gas man carries over the pit wall, directly to the car. Every team takes fuel matters very seriously and the method that they use to get the fuel into the car is equally important.Ĭrews fuel their cars with a fuel can. For these reasons, fuel and fuel strategy is on every NASCAR team member's mind on race day. If you don't add enough fuel, the vehicle will be lighter and faster, but you may end up running out of gas somewhere out on the track. Here's the dilemma: If you fill the fuel tank to the top, you won't have to stop as often however, the weight of the extra fuel will slow the car down. Beyond simply needing the fuel to keep the car on the track, how much fuel to carry and when to fill up is a key part of NASCAR racing strategy. Let's face it: No one is going to be able to drive 500 miles without gassing up. He uses it to life one side of the car at a time while two tire-changing teams remove and replace the wheels. One crew member, the jack man, is responsible for operating the jack during a race. Another advantage they have over the jack that you have at home is that they're usually made of aluminum, so they're lightweight and easy to maneuver. NASCAR jacks use powerful hydraulics to lift the car. Compare that to the jack you have at home or in your car, which likely requires a lot of pumping or cranking to lift the car. Since speed is critical in NASCAR, pit crews use a specialized jack that lifts the car with a single pump on the handle. As you know, you can't replace a tire without a jack. Since NASCAR races are so grueling, a race car's tires need to be replaced several times over the course of the event. It's the same for the teams competing in NASCAR. They become an invaluable tool to have around when you have to change a tire. In fact, most cars come with a factory installed jack in the trunk area. A jack is something every driver should carry in his or her car. Having a generator means the crew won't lose all of the data they're gathering, or the ability to monitor the race. Finally, the pit-box has an electrical generator - just in case the track loses power. The pit-box holds all of the team's hand tools and even a wheel-and-axle assembly - so the team can practice changing tires when the car itself isn't available. ![]() Pit-boxes also typically have a few less high-tech tools. ![]() Pit-boxes also contain several computers to monitor conditions regarding the car's performance. By getting a closer look at their car, they can anticipate and diagnose problems, as well as act as an extra set of eyes for their driver. A typical pit-box has two satellite receivers to monitor the weather and track conditions, as well as several flat-screen monitors for close-up views of their car on the track. It's loaded with electronics, all of which relay important information to the crew. A NASCAR crew's pit box is sort of like the bridge of the starship Enterprise.
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