The Indianapolis 500 can be decided by the blink of an eye. Five times in the past 10 years, the margin of victory was less than 1 second.
While the drivers and team owners get most of the glory, the work by the pit crews is critical in determining the champion. Here’s more about what goes into an Indy 500 pit stop.
How many pit stops are there in the Indy 500?
There’s no set number, but the most common number of pit stops among contenders is six or seven. The number of caution flags, and when they occur, play a role in determining how many stops a driver makes.
Indy 500 pit stop times
An ideal pit stop takes about 7 seconds. A stop includes changing four tires, filling an 18.5-gallon fuel tank and making any desired wing adjustments to create optimum aerodynamics.
The pit stop process takes longer, because the driver must not exceed the 60 mph pit road speed limit when entering pit road and leaving the pit box. The driver also must avoid contact with other cars along pit road and not strike crew members or pit equipment.
Infractions bring penalties, often a “drive-through,” which means the driver must bring the car through pit road at the pit speed limit while racing on the track continues.
Indy 500 driver Graham Rahal explains importance of pit stops
Graham Rahal, an 18-time Indy 500 starter, discusses key elements of a good pit stop, including a driver properly entering a pit stall, and the speed and precision of changing tires. Of course, properly refilling the fuel tank is critical.
Indy 500 pit crew members
Six people comprise the “over-the-wall” members of the pit crew: left front tire changer; left rear tire changer; right front tire changer; right rear tire changer; fueler, and jack operator. They wear fireproof suits and a helmet, just like the driver.
When the right front tire changer has completed a change, he holds up a hand, then drops it to indicate that it’s OK for the driver leave the pit box.
Other common pit stop terms
Pit road is also known as pit row and the pit lane. The pit box is also known as the pit stall.
What fuel goes into Indy 500 cars?
The IndyCar Series uses a renewable fuel made from various plant materials collectively known as “biomass.” The 100% renewable race fuel is second-generation ethanol made from sugarcane waste that is blended with other biofuels.
How long is pit road?
Pit road is 40 feet wide and 2,263 feet long (42% of a mile) from the start of the attenuator at pit entrance to the end of the wall at pit exit.
What happened in the Indy 500 pit stop? Pit stop crashes, fires
In 2025, pole-sitter Robert Shwartzman’s day ended when he missed his mark entering his pit stall, striking crew members.
Also, Alexander Rossi’s car caught fire, ending his day.
Zion Brown is IndyStar’s motorsports reporter. Follow him at @z10nbr0wn. Get IndyStar’s motor sports coverage sent directly to your inbox with our Motor Sports newsletter.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Indy 500 pit stops can play a critical role in determining the race winner
Reporting by Scott Horner and Zion Brown, Indianapolis Star / Indianapolis Star
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
