Pit Road & Garage Updates

[Speed Racer]

Policy change will limit fans' access to garages: For the first time in its history, NASCAR will severely restrict admission to the garage and pit-road areas. Only ''working'' personnel will be allowed in those areas during practice, qualifying and the race itself. Thousands of fans will be denied access under the new policy. Supposedly each race team will be issued 30 pit passes per race, and each track limited to 50 additional passes to be issued at its discretion. NASCAR will reserve an undetermined number of passes for distribution, and will continue to issue the annual ''hard-card'' credential to national media that cover a large number of events. Tracks can use their discretion in issuing additional media passes. Details of the new policy have not been finalized but a new policy would be in place for the 2003 season that severely curtailed the number of people admitted to the working garage area.(in part and paraphrased frpm the Tennessean)(1-2-2003)

 

[Speed Racer]

Update:

Hearing that NASCAR will install devices throughout the garage and pit area that flashes a yellow light. The light will come on precisely 30 minutes before practice, qualifying, and the race. At that point, security will begin making a sweep. The pits and garage then become "hot." You must have a hot pass to accompany your hard card or track-issued credential. This is a change because in the past hard cards were considered to always be "hot." No longer. Everyone all the way up to team owners have to pick up a "hot" pass each week to accompany their hard card. Each team will be given 30 passes (in addition to hard cards) per race.