UPDATE 2: Starting this weekend, NASCAR Cup Series teams have the option to run an Ohlins rear damper that includes a lift to help cars with flat rear tires return to pit road. The new design replaces the stock lower shaft end of the shock absorber with a new lift actuator.
Cars using these dampers will have a valve in the driver’s side A-post (pictured below). When a safety worker arrives at the car, they will use a tank of compressed air to jack the car up 2-3 inches, enough for it to be safely driven back to pit road. After the tires are changed, crew members can lower the car back down by pulling the valve.
— NASCAR —
UPDATE 7-31-2024: NASCAR Cup series teams will have the option to put lifters on the rear dampers (shock absorbers) of their cars beginning at Michigan International Speedway.
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A rules bulletin about the lifters was sent to teams in the week leading into Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The lifter will allow the car to be raised off the ground (by a few inches) for safety crews to tow it back to pit road.
— Racer —
ORIGINAL POST 7-25-2024: NASCAR hopes it has found a solution to Cup Series cars with flat tires getting beeched and requiring a lengthy process in returning them to pit road.
Speaking to SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, NASCAR Vice President of Competition Elton Sawyer says a lifter system will be place to nurse cars back to their teams.
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“We’re hoping that the fix will be (this) quick connect that will be connected or installed … that when the track service worker gets there, they basically can take an air hose, if you will, and pump that up to the rear tire (which) will lift up and then give the drivers the ability to drive back to pit road.
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“Then, when they get to pit road, there’s a valve (where) they just hit the valve in the rear of the car and it will go back down.”
— Sportsnaut —