{"id":6914,"date":"2023-08-01T02:00:53","date_gmt":"2023-08-01T02:00:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/motorracingsports.com\/?p=6914"},"modified":"2023-08-01T02:00:58","modified_gmt":"2023-08-01T02:00:58","slug":"how-does-nascar-dry-a-wet-track","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/motorracingsports.com\/how-does-nascar-dry-a-wet-track\/","title":{"rendered":"How Does NASCAR Dry a Wet Track?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Anyone who has ever attended or watched a NASCAR race knows that these high-octane events are not just about speed, but also about overcoming a host of challenges, not least of which is the weather. Rain<\/strong>, in particular, <\/strong>can play havoc with racing schedules. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

When a NASCAR track is wet from rain, NASCAR uses a combination of the Air Titan, traditional jet dryers, and smaller drying equipment to dry the track. This process, involving the displacement of water and evaporation, can take from 30 minutes to two hours depending on length of the track and the amount of water.<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Do if you ever wondered what happens after the rain stops? How does NASCAR get a soaked race track ready for high-speed competition again? This article pulls back the curtain on NASCAR’s impressive track-drying process.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"How
Editorial credit: Grindstone Media Group \/ Shutterstock.com\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Science Behind Track Drying<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The challenge of drying a race track is a delicate interplay between surface materials, temperature, and moisture. NASCAR tracks are primarily made of asphalt, a surface known to absorb less water than concrete<\/strong>, but still susceptible to becoming slick and unsafe when wet. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The process of drying a track essentially involves displacing the water and then accelerating evaporation. Displacement gets rid of larger quantities of water,<\/strong> pushing it away from the track surface, while evaporation deals with the residual moisture. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Both require energy and the right equipment, which is where NASCAR’s innovative machines come into play.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The History of Track Drying in NASCAR<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Track drying in NASCAR has come a long way. The early methods were decidedly less efficient, often involving just time and the hope for a strong sun or wind to aid in evaporation. But as NASCAR grew, so did the need for a faster and more reliable method. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Enter the jet dryers in the 1970s – vehicles fitted with jet engines that blew hot air onto the track surface to evaporate water.<\/strong> For decades, these jet dryers were the standard method for drying tracks. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, the desire to improve led to the development of a ground-breaking machine in 2013 – the Air Titan\"Opens<\/a>.<\/strong> The advent of the Air Titan marked a significant evolution in NASCAR’s approach to drying a wet track and deserves its own section below. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Invention and Role of the Air Titan<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Designed to revolutionize track drying in NASCAR, the Air Titan was unveiled in 2013. The brainchild of NASCAR’s Research & Development Center, this innovative machine uses compressed air to blow water off the track. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Unlike traditional methods which relied heavily on heat, the Air Titan displaces the bulk of the water using air, reducing the reliance on evaporation. A convoy of vacuum trucks follows the Air Titan, sucking up the displaced water. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This giant leap forward has made the track drying process faster, more energy-efficient, and environmentally friendly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n