Why does NASCAR use single lug nut and five lug nuts? JGR insider sheds light

In a reel shared on JGR's (Joe Gibbs Racing) Instagram account earlier today, an insider explained which NASCAR series uses single lug nuts and five lug nuts on the wheels of their vehicles, as well as why the different types are used.

Mainly, both types of lug nuts are used. However, the single lug nut has been in use in the Cup Series after the cars were upgraded to their Next Gen versions in 2022, and the five lug nut design is used in the Xfinity and Truck Series.

The video also explains that along with Xfinity and Truck, the ARCA series also uses five lug nuts, and the reason for that is that switching to a single lug nut system would require a complete re-development of the vehicles and would necessitate investment from teams to go into re-designing the car's body, chassis, and suspension.

JGR, who has a team in the Cup Series, Xfinity Series, and the ARCA series, shared the video with the caption:

"We still use 5 lugnuts in addition to 1 lugnut!"

The single lug nut for the Cup Series car was announced in 2020, during the development of the Next Gen car that made its debut in 2022. John Probst, NASCAR Senior Vice President of Innovation and Racing Development said that the decision to move towards a single lug nut had to do with increasing the wheel size from 15 inches to 18 inches. When it was announced, Probst said:

“For us we felt like from a standpoint of the wheel is that we wanted to get to an 18-inch wheel, an aluminum wheel. Once you get to an 18-inch aluminum wheel, the next step for us is to make sure that from a durability standpoint under racing conditions is that it will accept the durability that we need to finish races and then also finish multiple races. To do that, the single nut was our only option.” [via NASCAR]

Since the debut of the Next Gen Cars, JGR has scored nineteen wins over the last three seasons in the Cup Series thanks to the efforts of drivers Christopher Bell, Denny Hamlin, Martin Truex Jr, Ty Gibbs, and Kyle Busch.

JGR insider reveals what happens inside NASCAR team haulers

Denny Hamlin (#11 Joe Gibbs Racing FedEx Toyota) leaves the pit stall during the NASCAR Cup Series Championship Race - Source: Getty

In another video posted by JGR's Instagram handle earlier this week, the insider responded to a question asking if NASCAR drivers ever go in their team haulers. The narrator reveals that drivers sometimes use the hauler, but it's mostly to work with their team and look at data.

The short video was shared by JGR that featured a tour of the hauler, with the question as the caption:

"Do NASCAR drivers spend time in their hauler?"

JGR goes into the 2025 season with driver Chase Briscoe replacing the retiring Martin Truex Jr. Briscoe will drive the #19 Toyota for the team this year once the season begins with the Cook Out Clash at Bowman Gray in February.