NASCAR’s top teams are buzzing about a new pit system used by Joe Gibbs Racing during qualifying races at Daytona International Speedway, which could potentially impact Sunday’s Daytona 500. The system uses a tablet to alert drivers when to leave on a fuel-only stop, shaving precious seconds off pit road times.
The unique approach involves two crew members going over the pit wall – one holding a tablet near the front windshield for the driver to see – and using an all-green screen that signals for the driver to leave. This system could be game-changing in Daytona’s drafting style of racing, where fuel-saving is critical.
According to technical director Brian Campe, even small gains on pit road can significantly impact positions. A difference of 1.3 seconds between cars in first and 20th place before pitting is substantial, and shaving just half a second could catapult a car up the field.
The tablet system potentially speeds up fuel-only stops by eliminating the need for crew members to communicate through radio signals. By using an iPad and a simple “OK, the fuel is plugged in and start” command, drivers can react faster than the current sequence used by other teams.
This isn’t the first time Joe Gibbs Racing has experimented with innovative pit stop strategies; they introduced a new design last year that involved rear tire changers going around the front of the car. However, this latest system could be more reliable and efficient due to its use of technology.
Source: https://www.nbcsports.com/nascar/news/new-pit-system-creates-a-buzz-in-nascar-cup-garage-could-impact-daytona-500