Hendrick Motorsports

When it comes to pit stops, our crews have to be prepared for more than just changing tires, making adjustments and adding fuel to Jimmie Johnson’s No. 48 Lowe’s Chevrolet or Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s No. 88 AMP Energy/National Guard Chevrolet on race day. If one of our teams is involved in an incident, our over-the-wall teams have to be ready to step up and handle the repairs on pit road.

Fans can expect to see several competition changes when the 2011 season opens at Daytona. Notably, there’s the new nose, the elimination of the catch-can man thanks to a new self-ventilating system and new rules on tire allotment. Most of the changes are geared toward saving teams money, but each will take some getting used to.

When it comes to a race car, the slightest body modification can have a huge effect on its aerodynamic properties on the racetrack. We take a look at the new nose NASCAR has given all competitors for the 2011 season and have prepared our cars for Daytona with that change in mind.