How NASCAR’s ‘lifter system’ will prevent drivers from getting stranded mid-race? All you need to know

Being a high-speed and intense traction-based motorsport, NASCAR stock cars are subject to rigorous wear and tear. Be it fuel exhaustion that Ryan Blaney faced at Gateway Motorsports Park, mid-race engine blowout shattering Ty Gibbs' polesitter run at Pocono Raceway, mechanical failure with Kyle Busch’s Chevy at the Iowa Speedway, flattened tire, and other issues that can rob the drivers of a potentially promising result.

However, in case of a flat tire, if the driver is near the pit stop, there’s still hope for a comeback. On the contrary, if they aren’t in proximity, it could end their race, let alone fight back. This is where NASCAR’s ‘lifter system’ could help the driver make it to their pit stop.

The lifter system, attached to the rear dampers, the equipment that reduces noise and vibrations, will raise the car's rear, allowing the driver to make it to the pit road. However, the control of the actuator, the part responsible for initiating the process, will be with a NASCAR official and not with the teams. Moreover, the system is applicable for Cup cars as of now, and the teams can install the 'recovery actuator assemblies' at the Michigan race, slated for August 18.

Due to having superior traction and capabilities over the Front Wheel Drive (FWD) drive system, the high-octane rides are equipped with a Rear Wheel Drive (RWD) mechanism. Thus, the lifter system has to be placed on both rear dampers.

Taking to X, Champion Racing Mechanic Bozi Tatarevic shared an explanatory thread with some snippets depicting Computer-Aided Design (CAD) drawings of the lifter system.

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The requisites laid by NASCAR for using the lifter system

The recovery actuator assemblies would be allowed on the cars from August 14 onwards. As mentioned above, the lifter system will be installed on the rear damper and NASCAR won't permit its use on the front wheels.

The rear damper assembly must always be connected to a safety wire, having a minimum thickness of 0.025 inches, the other end of which would be attached to the piston. This would prevent a possible tragedy from occurring because of any ups and downs in the system.

The recovery actuator assemblies should be manually triggered, probably through one-time disconnecting parts, which has to keep the lifter system fully compressed until an official doesn't prompt its release.

Currently, the NextGen car uses Ӧhlins Racing dampers. The Sweden-based company is a subsidiary of Tenneco, and deals in racing, rally, and off-road suspension technology. Their TTR coil-over damper locked an exclusive pact with NASCAR and the debuting NextGen in 2022 were equipped with their five-way adjustable damper.

In addition to being NASCAR's sole provider, Ӧhlins Racing's TTR coil-over dampers are using the 24 Hours of LeMans and IndyCar as well.