by Rex Coker

Created on: April 23, 2008   Last Updated: November 24, 2008

The majority of Nascar fans have seen first hand what the pit crews of their favorite drivers do on camera. Behind the scenes during the race the pit crew is hurriedly getting ready for the next pit stop. To explain their functions, I have put each of the pit crew into their own specific area, so that a reader can understand why their part in the team is essential.

Tire man:

The tire man is in charge of measuring tire wear. He keeps his data on a lap top that can be seen by the crew chief in the teams pit box. The tire man also changes air pressures needed to make the car bite in to the race track. He will mark the tires per the way the crew chief tells him per tire. He sets the air pressure and then epoxies the lug nuts to the tire rim.

Gas man:

The gas man weighs each tank of gas. Making sure the crew chief knows exactly how much gas is in the car. This is extremely important on calculating gas mileage during the race. Since the cars have nothing but a warning light inside the car to let them know where they are at on fuel. It is up to the crew chief to let the driver know where his is at on fuel during the race.

Crew chief:

The pit crew and crew chief are in constant contact with each other. Staying on the same page is important when trouble shooting problems with the car. Trouble shooting is a team job and will be discussed by all members on the best solution. The crew cheif will make the final decision on all protocol while the car is in the pits.

Spotters:

Lap top PC at different stations in the pits let the crew chief know exactly where they stand should a problem arise on the track with the car. Each member is fitted with a radio head set so they can talk to one another and save time. Each member may have more than one job during a race. He may be a fabricator, mechanic, a specialist in sway bar adjustments to diagnostics with in the engine.

Engineers:

Trouble shooting things like sheet metal damage to changing out batteries quickly will be determined before the driver ever turns on to pit road. They are the cheer leaders of the driver and they all want to look good and see their driver shine. They are highly competitive and they bite at the bit to do their jobs successfully. The success of the car is on the shoulders of the engineers that sit atop in the pit communications center.

Jack man and tire carriers:

The jack-man and tire carriers can be seen huddled together. Going over the pit stop in their minds before the car stops. A well planned out attack on how they will approach adjustments to the car. They train every day to do their jobs efficiently and with speed.

Not many people see what goes on behind the scenes and they get little credit for the jobs they do. But after the race they will boast about how they were quicker than other teams because they won the race on the track and off pit road.

Learn more about this author, Rex Coker.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.