Pit Stop

Learn how to execute a fast, penalty-free Pit Stop in NASCAR 25. Quick steps, settings, and strategy for green-flag and caution stops, plus common fixes and tips.

You’re losing time in the pits, getting penalties, or missing your stall—and it’s killing your race. This guide fixes that. We’ll make your next Pit Stop clean, quick, and penalty‑free, with settings and steps that work even if the menus differ slightly.

Quick answer

A good pit stop starts with a plan (tires/fuel/repairs), a clean entry at or below pit road speed, and a precise stop in your stall. Under green, signal “Request Pit,” slow before the commit line, and stay even with your stall marker; under yellow, pit only when pit road is “OPEN.” Turn on pit assists if you’re new, and practice your braking point and visual cues.

Do this now (60 seconds)

• Open Controls/Assists and turn on any “Pit Road Assist,” “Auto Pit Entry,” or “Speed Limiter” options if available.
• In Strategy/Setup, pre‑select 4 tires, full or target fuel, and “Repair damage: On/Optional.”
• During a test race, find the commit cone/line and the blend line; note your stall number and the jackman sign.

What this means in NASCAR 25

A Pit Stop is when you leave the racing surface for service—tires, fuel, and repairs. It matters because fresh tires and fuel strategy decide track position, lap time, and whether you finish. Speed and consistency beat raw pace over a full run.

• Tire falloff: Laps get slower as tires wear; pitting earlier (undercut) buys speed now, later (overcut) buys track position.
• Caution: Yellow flag. Pit road may be “Closed” then “Open.” Pitting while closed = penalty.
• Tight/loose: Tight (push) = won’t turn; Loose = rear wants to step out. Tire choices and wedge/tape (if available) can adjust balance.
• Draft/aero: Turbulence behind cars; damage and tape affect temps and speed.

Symptoms → likely causes → fixes (beginner-focused)

• You get a pit road speeding penalty

  • Cause: Entering too hot or braking after the commit line
  • Fix: Brake earlier, below the limit before the line; enable Pit Road Assist/limiter if available

• You overshoot/miss your stall

  • Cause: Turning in late or aiming at the wrong box
  • Fix: Count stalls, aim for the jackman sign, straighten the wheel and stop with your nose centered on the sign

• “Pitted while closed” penalty under yellow

  • Cause: Entered pits before pit road was marked OPEN
  • Fix: Wait one lap under caution until the HUD/map shows pits open; follow the pace car’s instructions

• Crew doesn’t change tires/fuel

  • Cause: Pit options not set or changes not confirmed
  • Fix: Open Pit Strategy while pacing and confirm tire/fuel/repair selections before entering

• Car leaves pits and spins on cold tires

  • Cause: Full throttle on exit and crossing the seam
  • Fix: Short‑shift, apply 50–70% throttle, stay in the pit exit lane until the blend line

• Lose 10+ spots under yellow

  • Cause: Taking 4 tires and full fuel when others took 2/fuel only
  • Fix: If track position matters late, choose 2 tires or fuel only; skip optional repairs

• Damage won’t fix

  • Cause: “Optional/No repairs” selected or heavy aero damage requires extra time
  • Fix: Set Repairs to On/Full; expect longer stop for aero/suspension fixes

Step-by-step: How to do it

Menu names vary by version. If wording differs, look for Strategy, Pit, Tires, Fuel, Repair, or Assists.

1. Pre‑race strategy (safe path)

• Likely path: From Event Setup or Garage, open Strategy/Pit Strategy.
• Set tires: 4 tires for normal stops; consider 2 tires late for track position.
• Set fuel: Full tank, or “fill to target laps” if that option exists.
• Repairs: Set to On or Optional. Optional = quick fixes only.
• What you should see: A summary card showing Tires/Fuel/Repairs for your next stop.
• Gotcha: If you don’t “Apply/Confirm,” the game may keep old settings.

2. Request a green‑flag stop

• Look on the HUD or Controls for “Request Pit” (often a D‑Pad or face button). Toggle it 1–2 laps before pitting.
• Enter below speed before the commit cone/line; stay on the right and don’t pass cars on pit road.
• Stop in your stall: Center on the jackman sign; brake in a straight line.
• Exit: Follow the pit exit lane and merge only at or after the blend line.
• What you should feel/see: No penalties, a crisp stop, and the car stable on exit.

3. Pit under caution

• Stay behind the pace car. Only pit when your HUD/map shows pits OPEN.
• While pacing, open Pit Strategy and confirm Tires/Fuel/Repairs.
• Enter pit road at the limit, hit your stall, and be ready for a short pace line on exit.
• Gotcha: Wave‑around/lap‑down rules can trap you. If you’re not the leader, pitting the wrong lap can cost a lap.

Pit Stop strategy basics (what to change and when)

• Early/mid run: 4 tires + enough fuel to reach the next window. Safer, consistent pace.
• Late race (10–20 to go): 2 tires or fuel only can gain 5–10 spots if your car stays stable.
• Undercut: Pit 1–3 laps earlier to gain from fresh tires; risky if a caution traps you.
• Overcut: Stay out to lead a lap or catch a yellow; slower laps but safer track position.

Beginner settings & assists (recommended)

If NASCAR 25 includes these assists, start here:

• Beginner: Pit Road Assist/Auto Pit Entry ON, Speed Limiter ON, Driving Line ON (Braking only), Damage Visual Only. Why: Removes penalties and lets you focus on hitting your box.
• Intermediate: Pit Entry Assist OFF, Limiter ON, Driving Line Corners Only, Full Damage. Why: You learn entry/braking while avoiding speed traps.
• Advanced: All pit assists OFF, Full Damage, Manual pit entry/exit. Why: Maximum control and strategy flexibility.

Practice drill (10 minutes)

• Track: A 1.5‑mile oval (e.g., Charlotte or Las Vegas in many NASCAR titles).
• Plan: Run 6–8 laps, then make one green‑flag pit stop, then 3 laps out‑lap pace.
• Focus: Brake before the commit line, hit the limit, stop square on the sign, gentle throttle on exit.
• Success looks like: 0 penalties, stop time within 1–2 seconds of AI leaders, smooth merge at the blend line.
• Avoid: Turning into your box late—straighten the wheel before stopping.

Common beginner mistakes (and the fix)

• Braking after the commit line

  • Why: Misjudged marker
  • Fix: Pick a brake reference 2–3 car lengths before the line

• Crossing pit entry with two tires on the track

  • Why: Shallow angle
  • Fix: Move low on the backstretch early; commit to the lane

• Gassing it leaving the box

  • Why: Cold tires
  • Fix: Roll on at 50–70% throttle for the first 100–200 yards

• Forgetting to confirm pit options

  • Why: Menu time-out
  • Fix: Open Pit Strategy during pacing; confirm and close

• Pitting when road is closed

  • Why: Rushing under yellow
  • Fix: Wait for “OPEN” indicator or the spotter prompt

• Taking full repairs late

  • Why: Over-fixing
  • Fix: Choose Optional/No repairs with <10 laps to go unless the car is unsafe

• Speeding by drafting on pit road

  • Why: Tucked behind traffic raising your speed
  • Fix: Leave a gap; watch the speed readout, not the car ahead

FAQs

• How do I pit under green without a penalty? Signal “Request Pit,” slow before the commit line, and use assists like Pit Road Assist/limiter if available. Aim square for your stall and merge only at the blend line.

• Two tires vs. four tires—when should I do it? Four tires are safest and fastest over long runs. Two tires are a late‑race track‑position play; use only if your car stays stable and the run to the finish is short.

• How do I avoid pitting when pit road is closed? Under caution, watch for “PIT CLOSED/OPEN” on the HUD or listen to the spotter. Do not enter until it’s marked OPEN for your line.

• Can I repair damage without changing tires? In most NASCAR titles, yes—set Repairs On and Tires None. If NASCAR 25’s menu groups services, look for separate toggles for Tires, Fuel, and Repairs.

• What’s a typical pit stop time? In-game 4‑tire stops are often around 10–14 seconds without damage; 2‑tire stops ~6–9 seconds; repairs can add 10–30+ seconds. Times vary by title and settings.

• Where do I find the “Request Pit” button? Check Controls > Driving or On‑Track bindings. Look for “Request Pit,” “Pit Strategy,” or a HUD prompt that appears when you approach pit entry.

• Why did I lose a lap after pitting? Green‑flag stops at short tracks are risky. Entering too slow, missing your box, or pitting off‑sequence can get you lapped. Pit with your group and execute cleanly.

• What fuel target should I use? Aim to split the race into equal stints. If cautions are frequent, short-fill for track position; if green runs are long, fill to the next window with a 1–2 lap buffer.

Next steps

A clean, penalty‑free Pit Stop is mostly planning and two disciplined braking points: commit line in, blend line out. Use assists while you learn, then phase them out.

• Do next: Run the 10‑minute drill and turn off one assist at a time.
• Related articles:
  • Tire Wear and Fuel Strategy in NASCAR 25
  • Cautions, Wave‑Arounds, and Restarts
  • Racing Line and Braking on Ovals
  • Damage, Repairs, and Aero Balance
  • Controller vs Wheel: Best Settings for NASCAR 25