NASCAR will use Sunday's Cup Series race at Michigan International Speedway as an opportunity to introduce a new lift system for cars stuck on the track with flat tires.
According to an update from NASCAR, teams now have the option to install an Ohlins rear damper that replaces the stock lower shaft end of the shock absorber. This updated design includes a new lift actuator that helps "beached" cars on the track get back to pit road.
This lift system will have a valve in the driver's side A-post, which NASCAR shows in the below photograph. When a car is unable to move due to a flat tire, a safety worker will use a tank of compressed air to jack up the car two to three inches. This makes it safer to take the car back to pit road.
Photo credit: NASCAR
Once the pit crew has changed the flat tire(s), a crew member can easily lower the car back to race height by pulling the valve.
Previous instances of towing cars with flat tires have resulted in damage to the underbody, something NASCAR seeks to avoid in the future.
"It's a system that's on the rear of the car; it works around the shock absorber," NASCAR Senior Vice President of Competition Elton Sawyer explained during an appearance on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.
"As everyone knows, the Next Gen has been really, really good for our racing. I think we've had some phenomenal racing. What came with that and we noticed that immediately at Auto Club two years ago, is when this car has a flat tire or four flats particularly, it can't go anywhere."
Flat tires have left many cars stranded since the start of the 2022 season, the first with Next Gen cars featuring an 18-inch wheel. Joey Logano had one of the most infamous responses to flat tires last season at Pocono when he went on an expletive-laden rant directed toward track safety team members.
This lift system is one that many in the sport have discussed in recent months, especially after NASCAR issued a rules update ahead of the Brickyard 400. Now, it will officially make its debut as teams try to lock up one of the remaining playoff spots.
However, some teams still have some questions heading into the lift system's debut. They will seek to get some answers during this weekend's events.
"I would think we would (use it) unless there is some big competitive disadvantage to it," Denny Hamlin said at Richmond last weekend. "But I don't know a whole lot about it other than it is available, and I've seen the apparatus that it is."