This is the NASCAR Air Titan track drying system while it was being tested at Daytona International Speedway. The system utilizes compressed air and will dramatically reduce the amount of time it takes to dry the track. (Mike Meadows/ISC)
Innovative Air Titan™ Device Reduces Track-Drying Time
Fans typically keep a close eye on weather conditions for each race day track on NASCAR’s circuit, because wet conditions usually mean a delayed or postponed race. But race fans may need to change their thinking when it comes to rainy days on race day.
We’ve all heard the phrase, “Time is Money” and no one knows that better than NASCAR Chairman and CEO Brian France when he tasked his Research and Development team in Concord, NC with developing a way to shorten race delays caused by rain.
The lessons learned leading to France’s vision for a better way include the realization that fans, whether in the grandstands or watching on television, should not have to wait long before racing resumes following a downpour. Typically, if there’s an anticipated rain delay or postponement, it’s understandable that fans wanting to make good use of their free time, turn to other activities versus waiting out the rain delay.
Phase one of France’s vision, was introduced Feb 12th, with the introduction of their new Air Titan™ track drying system that will debut during Speedweeks at Daytona International Speedway. The Air Titan’s innovative technology, is steeped in science and created by the NASCAR R&D Center. But more importantly, it will reduce track drying time, improve the racing product and enhance the fan experience – starting this week and including The Sprint Unlimited on Saturday night at 8 p.m. ET on FOX.
“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,” France said of the initiative’s first phase. “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.”
With the ultimate and specific goal of reducing track-drying time by up to 80%, the NASCAR R&D team took an advanced scientific approach during the production of the Air Titan™. Using compressed air, the Air Titan™ efficiently and reliably pushes water off of the racing surface and onto the apron where vacuum trucks will remove the remainder of the moisture. Traditional, jet dryers will follow each Air Titan™, drying any excess water that remains on the racing surface.
As part of the Air Titan’s™ testing process, NASCAR enlisted the expertise of the National Center for Asphalt Technology (NCAT) in Auburn, Ala., International Speedway Corporation’s track construction group, Racing Surface Technologies and QualPro Inc. Additionally, Elgin Sweeper Company, Sullair and Ring Power CAT also provided equipment during the testing, and will be part of the track-drying process at Daytona during Speedweeks.
For the immediate future, jet dryers and vacuum trucks will continue to be used during track-drying efforts. But NASCAR anticipates that over time, the innovations of the Air Titan™ will lessen the carbon footprint of track drying, decreasing both emissions and noise pollution. The next evolution in the innovative technology will be to optimize the power source.
