NASCAR pit stops will have a different look in 2018

As whispers intensified into open discussion last fall that NASCAR was going to reduce the number of over-the-wall crew members during a pit stop, the wheels in Andy Petree’s mind immediately started devising ways Richard Childress Racing could use the rule change to its benefit.

Not that Petree, RCR’s vice president of competition, was alone in thinking of creative ways to manage the policy change that eventually went into effect over the offseason and will make its debut in The Clash exhibition race that begins the 2018 season Sunday at Daytona International Speedway (3 p.m. ET, Fox Sports). Every team manager, crew chief and pit crew coach brainstormed and then practiced various techniques throughout the offseason.

The new rule capped pit crews at five, a one person reduction from what teams were permitted previously. Another change is a universal air wrench that is heavier and every team will be required to use with NASCAR randomly handing out the piece of equipment on race day.

“When they made the change it presented an opportunity,” Petree said. “We really explored our options.”

Upper echelon six-member crews could change four tires, fill the car with gas and get their driver going again in 11 seconds. The loss of a crew member is expected to add two seconds to a typical pit stop, but the additional time also allows teams to get creative with how to adjust to performing the same amount of work except with fewer personnel.

An unexpected byproduct is with pit crews now having to carry more of a workload is a likely uptick in injuries. Petree said some of RCR’s crew members are already dealing with nagging injuries and a team’s depth will be stressed throughout a season that encompasses 26 regular season races and 10 playoff races. To prepare for what’s to come, Petree said RCR has worked its pit crews harder than ever before.

Furniture Row Racing crew chief Cole Pearn, who guided Martin Truex Jr. to the 2017 Cup Series championship, is in agreement that injuries will in all likelihood rise.

“It’s a big change and putting a lot of stress on the pit crew guys,” Pearn said. I think you’re going to see a lot of injuries than what we’ve seen in the past. Every guy is having to do more and push themselves more, it’s definitely harder.”

There is disagreement whether eliminating a position on the over-the-wall crew will be as effective as NASCAR hopes. The idea behind the change was a cost-savings measure in addition to the safety component with 40 fewer crew members now on pit road.

The predominant concern centered on the potential for an increase in tires getting loose on pit road due to fewer crew members around to reign them in.

“Everybody at our place was up in arms about how heavy the pit gun was and taking the guys away on pit road and I was like, ‘Who cares?’ Kevin Harvick said. “It is going to be the new normal eventually. Pretty soon you don’t talk about it anymore because it isn’t even a story. So just start practicing.”

Like Petree, Pearn won’t divulge how his crew will compensate for being down a member. Conventional wisdom is teams will utilize one tire carrier instead of two, with the front-tire changer likely carrying a tire with them to the right-side of the car.

The Clash offers the first time teams can employ their restructured choreography in race conditions, though there is a caveat. Teams may not change all four tires at one time during the 75-lap exhibition, while others may not reveal their tactics until next week’s Daytona 500 -- lest the competition sees a better way to complete a pit stop than what they concocted.

“You’re going to see a lot of whacky and different strategies this weekend,” Pearn said.

The consensus, however, is eventually and quickly everyone will determine the best way to service a car with only five crew members. Much like aspects within the sport, once one team sees a team having success with a certain methodology, they’ll make it their own.

“It won’t take that long,” Petree said. “It will be obvious what [plan] is best.”