Pit Equipment & Tools

What Pit Equipment Does A Race Team Need

Every race team needs pit equipment that handles four jobs: lifting the car, turning bolts, managing tires and fuel, and protecting the crew. Start with a core kit, then add class-specific gear once you know how your race day runs.

Here's a baseline list most teams build from:

• A floor jack for quick lifts between rounds
• Wrench and socket sets from OEMTOOLS, plus other hand tools for adjustments
• An impact wrench with air supply, or cordless power tools for lug nuts
• Fuel jugs for refueling between runs
• Gaffer or racer's tape for quick fixes
• Gloves and knee pads for every crew member
• A tool box or pit cart to keep it all together

If you're building a kit from scratch, browse our full lineup of tools and garage equipment to fill gaps as you go.

Drag Racing vs Circle Track Pit Equipment

Drag racing pit equipment centers on between-round service, while circle track pit equipment centers on quick adjustments between heats and features. Both need the same core tools, but the extras differ.

Drag racers spend long stretches waiting in the pits, so tire shades and helmet dryers get plenty of use. Jr. Dragster families should add a warm-up stand, such as the JR Race Car 654-9510 Jr. Dragster Warm Up Stand, so the car can run in the pits with the rear wheels off the ground. For setup and strategy help, check our bracket racing tech articles.

Circle track teams change tires more often and refuel before the feature, so fuel jugs and fast lug nut tools matter more. Stock extra utility jugs, drain pans, and funnels so fuel and fluids stay separate and spills stay small.

Air Tools, Jacks, And Tire Equipment For Faster Pit Stops

Faster pit stops come down to three things: power for lug nuts, a jack that lifts quickly, and tire tools that let you check and swap tires without guessing. Get those right, and your pit stop equipment saves time every round.

An impact wrench running on shop air removes lug nuts faster than a hand wrench. Shop our air compressors and air tools, including portable compressors from Viair for topping off tires. Our guide to air compressors for garages and off-road builds explains how to size one.

For lifting, JEGS floor jacks give you quick lifts in the pits. Read our tips on choosing the right floor jack and how to jack up a car safely before race day. Round out the cart with tire tools and equipment for tire checks.

Pit Crew Gear For Helmets, Tires, And Race-Day Comfort

Pit crew gear keeps driver equipment dry, tires shaded, and your crew comfortable through a long race day. These items won't turn a wrench, but they keep people and parts ready for the next call.

A helmet dryer pushes air through the liner so it's dry when the driver suits up again. You can choose helmet dryers from Impact Racing and Allstar Performance. The Simpson 97200BK Disinfecting Multi-Equipment Dryer handles more than helmets, so one unit can cover other gear too.

Tire shades keep direct sun off your tires between rounds. Options include the Holley 36-513 EFI Tire Shade and the Brian Tooley Racing BTR-8001 Suction Cup Tire Shade. For the crew, gloves protect hands from hot parts, and knee pads make tire work on pavement easier to handle all day.

How To Organize And Transport Pit Crew Tools

Organize pit crew tools by job, and keep the most-used items on a rolling pit cart so you're not digging through the trailer. A clear system cuts setup time and keeps tools from going missing.

Group tools by task: tire work, fuel, lifting, and general repairs. Keep wrench and socket sets in a tool box with labeled drawers, and load the pit cart with the jack, impact wrench, and tape. Shop our tool storage and organization products to match your trailer space.

Trailer walls are prime storage, and Pit Pal organizers help you use that space for gear you grab often. Back at home, shop equipment keeps the race car serviced between events. Before each trip, run a checklist for fuel jugs, spare parts, and pit gear so nothing stays behind. When your list is set, shop the pit equipment on this page and load up for your next event.