Race Weekend Central

Tuesday Means Track Drying: Details Of NASCAR System Introduced

Recovering from rain delays is about to get a whole lot easier for NASCAR in 2013. The sanctioning body on Tuesday unveiled details of its new, track-drying system called the “Air Titan” which experts claim is so effective, Daytona can be dried in as little as 30 minutes following a rainstorm. The new technology, facets of which were designed in just eight months by the sport’s Research and Development arm, could make its debut as quickly as this Saturday night’s Sprint Unlimited.

“In a short amount of time, our talented team at the NASCAR R&D Center imagined, designed and built the Air Titan, an innovative device that will dramatically improve the race-viewing experience for our fans,” NASCAR CEO France explained. “With its far-reaching potential and impact, we believe the Air Titan is a big win for the motorsports industry, and eventually will enhance many surface cleaning and drying industries as well.”

The first phase of the Titan has reportedly been proven to shorten track drying time by as much as 80%. Using air compression, the machine sucks up water and literally “pushes” it off the racing surface and right down onto the apron of any racing oval – out of harm’s way. The moisture will then get removed by vacuum trucks, contraptions that will speed around on the side in a two-step process that should make things as good as new following a rainstorm.

For those wondering about jet dryers, they’ll still play an integral role at NASCAR facilities, at least to start. As a failsafe, that equipment will follow behind the Titan and ensure any remaining water not picked up is also blown back down to the apron.

Elgin Sweeper Company, Sullair, and Ring Power CAT were organizations that played an integral role in Air Titan’s development. All are expected to be in attendance, during Speedweeks to ensure track drying gets handled as efficiently as possible.

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