In NASCAR, every fraction of a second counts, and even the smallest edge can be the difference between victory or defeat. Hence, teams and drivers constantly push the boundaries, seeking innovative ways to gain a competitive advantage. A recent YouTube clip from Joe Gibbs Racing revealed an intriguing factor that could influence performance.
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In a voiceover, the JGR video explained if driver body weight was an important factor in the sport. The person explained, “NASCAR drivers have weigh-ins at different points in the season. Based on the driver’s weight the car must meet a minimum weight. For example, if your driver weighs 170 pounds the car must weigh 3,455 pounds. This means every car with driver weighs the same.”
The video explained that to make sure that all of the cars are equal heading into the race, teams use ballast weights. But based on how much weight needs to be added, the team can decide to add them strategically across the bodywork to help the car handle better. This is where smaller drivers could gain a slight advantage over their counterparts.
“But NASCAR limits this advantage by mandating minimum weights at certain parts of the car and limiting locations where it can be added.” So in a way, driver weight can play a significant role, but the difference is small.
NASCAR vehicles must adhere to a strict minimum weight limit of 3675 lb, with uniformity maintained when the cars are on the track, inclusive of the drivers. Hence, the dynamics of weight distribution become crucial as it can greatly enhance the car’s handling.
Traditionally, drivers were weighed twice during the season — once at the start and again midway through — to monitor any changes in their weight, ensuring that the cars were adjusted accordingly to maintain compliance with regulations. However, now the drivers are weighed periodically throughout the year.
Also, to prevent any discrepancies during these weigh-ins, drivers are required to wear only their underwear, a measure designed to preclude the possibility of concealing additional weights in their racing suits.
How do NASCAR drivers attempt to manipulate the weight system?
Last year, Chase Briscoe shed light on past practices before the rule change that now requires drivers to be weighed in their underwear. He reminisced, “I remember one year I weighed around 185 or 188 pounds, but I weighed in at 209. I had lead tape bolted to the bottom of my feet. I had all this stuff in my pockets, like lead spacers.”
He also revealed layering up excessively, donning a jacket, a sweatshirt, and a t-shirt, with the latter soaked in water to add extra weight artificially.
The issue of weight compliance took center stage last season when Joey Logano entered the Round of 8 due to a controversy at the Charlotte Roval race. The Team Penske driver managed to move up the competitive ladder because Alex Bowman’s car failed to meet the required weight specifications post-race. Despite multiple opportunities from NASCAR to rectify the situation, the #48 team was unable to account for the car’s underweight condition at the end of the race.
In a bid to stop all such malpractices and provide a level playing field for everyone involved the promotion decided to introduce the underwear-only weigh-in standard.
