A driver gets the glory, but a race is often decided on pit road. In about 9-12 seconds, a five-person crew can hand their driver several positions or take them away.

Why They Matter

Track position is everything in NASCAR. A crew that beats the competition by even a second can send their driver out ahead of rivals who were running faster laps. Over a long race, a few good stops can make a big difference in a driver's final position.

What They Actually Do

Five crew members go over the wall: two tire changers, two tire carriers, and a jackman, with a fueler handling gas. The jackman lifts the car, the changers swap the wheels, and the fueler fills the tank. The Next Gen car’s single center-locking lug nut makes every wheel change a precision job, with no room for error. Behind the wall, the crew chief and spotters decide when to pit and whether to take two tires or four, calls that can beat a faster car.

The crew members are athletes. Many come from college sports and train year-round for strength, speed, and coordination, rehearsing each motion thousands of times.

Nashville Superspeedway: Where Stops Decide Races

Nashville Superspeedway in Lebanon is a 1.33-mile concrete oval, and its surface is tough on tires. That makes tire wear and fuel mileage central to strategy, so each stop carries extra weight. A clean four-tire stop can gain positions, while a slow one can bury a driver in traffic. It’s a great place to see why crews matter.

Your Turn

Next time you’re at a race, keep an eye out for action on pit road as well as the track. Check the schedule for the next NASCAR weekend at Nashville Superspeedway, grab tickets, and see the crews up close. You might find the real race is happening over the wall.

Nashville Superspeedway's next NASCAR triple-header runs June 4-6, 2027. Reserve your tickets to the action now at NashvilleSuperspeedway.com or call 866.RACE.TIX to discuss your options with an account representative.