A lot of things have to fall into place before a NASCAR race can happen. Here is a photo of the Pit Road at Texas Motor Speedway.
It’s amazing to think of all the activity about to happen in this area. Race cars, Pit Crews and thousands of fans will roam this area before and during a race.
Pit Boxes are an essential part of the equipment NASCAR teams use to try and win a race. They’re also called War Wagons.
The Pit Boxes are about the only thing that NASCAR teams don’t transport to the race themselves. They pay a company called Champion Tire & Wheel to do that.
It costs $4,540 per team, or $18,000 total, each week.
Why carry a Pit Boxes back and forth across America every week when nothing changes on it. That’s just extra weight, extra room and extra gas for the Hauler.
Here is what the front of a Pit Area looks like with a Pit Box and wall banner.
This area is logo’d for TV coverage. Never miss a chance to get your logo on the boob tube.
This Pit Box has an All Weather cover for the Crew Chief and other members.
The Brickyard 400 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway is the only race where the track paints the driver info on the Pit Wall.
A pit box provides a high-tech way to monitor the car during a race — and keep a close eye on the weather, too.
A NASCAR crew’s Pit Box is sort of like the bridge of the starship Enterprise. It’s loaded with electronics, all of which relay important information to the crew.
Once a Pit Crew member makes it on a regular basis with a race team, and if they do, it usually takes three to four years. The average salary is $80,000 to $120,000 a year.
Pit Crew superstars can make anywhere from $150,000 to $200,000 a year.
It might be because I worked for Pennzoil, but I like their Pit Box very much. It’s a bright color and the logo-ing stands out and is eye catching.
McDonald’s has one of the nicest set ups.
Having the TV on the back enables the crew to watch the action, as well as fans on Pit Road.
Pit Boxes serve as the center of the pit crew’s universe, showing replays on television monitors, displaying scoring and lap times, and sometimes even providing that welcome bit of shade during a sunny race day.
Now this is fan friendly. People lucky enough to get on Pit Road during the race appreciate the TV’s.
The Geico Pit Box needs some color. The white is kind of bland.
Would look much better with blue instead of white.
This crew member is installing the satellite dish.
The M&M’s Pit Box would look better with the roof on. It just looks unfinished now.
Pit boxes also include the essential tools for the over-the-wall pit crews.
They hold the jacks, wrenches, duct tape and other essentials that drivers hope won’t have to be used during the race, like that dreaded big bat and sledge hammer.
Some of the pit boxes take hours to set up, with multiple satellite dishes and lots of technology. Others are much more simplistic, boasting the bare minimum of “bells and whistles”.
I have to give Burger King a failing grade for their logos… one logo. Hardly noticeable and when a crowd gathers, ti will be totally blocked.
Here’s another that could use an overhaul.
Cup war wagons start at around $55,000. Adding just a bit of technology can tack on another $25,000 to $40,000 per box.
NAPA’s set up looks great, very noticeable.
Even with a crowd in front of it.
It’s a good thing people know the Target logo.
Otherwise, no one would know what team this is because there’s no wording. Failing grade.
This next Pit Box has a high profile logo.
Too bad they don’t have any TV’s for the fans.
Mobil 1 & Office Depot have good logo’s.
The lady in the foreground has a great seat to enjoy all of the action during a race.
3M does it right.
Some pit boxes are incredibly elaborate, with multiple television screens, including race broadcasts, as well as satellite feed.
Many also include video cameras, VCRs, DVRs, computers and a warm up hub with lug nuts for the tire changers to practice before each pit stop.
Aaron’s has good logo’s.
I just wish they used a colored background instead of white. It just looks unfinished.
Best Buy has a nice set up, but notice the logos at the bottom.
During the race, they’re barely seen. They should have some logo’s by the TV’s.
Motorcraft started out with their roof on.
Then they took it off for the race. Notice the driver’s wife or girlfriend checking her phone instead of the race, lol.
I worked for Quaker State also and I like their Pit Box a lot too. The colors pop.
CAT has great logos, but no TV’s for the fans.
Here’s a Pit Box prepared for rain.
Now for the smaller teams. This team has no sponsors at all on their bare bones Pit Box.
Here’s another small time program.
Now, I’ll show you the progression of Pit Road.
Fans are taking pictures, going on Pit Tours and enjoying VIP access.
I had a great vantage point for these photos. I was on top of the NASCAR TV screen hauler.
A former co-worker now had a job driving this hauler for NASCAR. I always received a ‘Hot Pass’ and VIP access when I visited him at a race.
Here’s a pic of Pit Road during the race. I had just walked the distance and photographed all of the Pit Boxes during the race.
I hope you enjoyed this Blog Post about NASCAR War Wagon’s / Pit Boxes.
That completes this NASCAR 101 Course. Give yourself 3 Credits towards Graduation. Congratulations on your Quest for a Degree from The Universite de Arachnida.
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