Nix Biosensors is proud to announce its partnership with LEGACY MOTOR CLUB as the Official Hydration Biosensor Supplier. This collaboration will provide both drivers and pit crew athletes with advanced hydration insights, optimizing endurance, reaction time, and overall performance in one of the most physically demanding sports.
LEGACY MOTOR CLUB (LEGACY MC) is a premier auto racing organization co-owned by seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion and 2024 NASCAR Hall of Fame inductee, Jimmie Johnson and Knighthead Capital Management, LLC. Drawing from a rich tradition of success, LEGACY MC is dedicated to pushing the boundaries of motorsport and setting new standards of excellence. The CLUB competes under the Toyota Gazoo Racing banner in the NASCAR Cup Series in the No. 43 Toyota Camry XSE piloted by Erik Jones and No. 42 Toyota Camry XSE driven by John Hunter Nemechek. Johnson also races on a limited basis in the No. 84 Toyota Camry XSE. With NASCAR legend and Hall of Famer Richard Petty, "The King", serving as CLUB Ambassador, LEGACY MC blends timeless racing traditions with a new forward-thinking vision. As an inclusive community for motorsport enthusiasts, LEGACY MC honors both its storied past and the promising future of its members, always striving for victory and championship glory at the pinnacle of NASCAR competition.
Through this partnership, Nix Biosensors will equip LEGACY MOTOR CLUB’s pit crew and drivers with its cutting-edge, non-invasive Hydration Biosensor. The wearable sensor analyzes sweat in real time, offering instant feedback on hydration levels and allowing the team to proactively manage fluid intake and maintain peak performance.
A NASCAR pit crew is a team of highly trained professionals that are responsible for servicing a race car during pit stops. A pit stop typically occurs anywhere from four to six times during a race to allow for fueling, tire changes, and to fix any damage on the car.
In a NASCAR Cup Series race, only five over-the-wall crew members are allowed to service the car during a pit stop. These team members typically include a Front Tire changer, Rear Tire Changer, a Tire Carrier, a Jackman and a Fueler. As each of these crew members have a designated role, their ability to perform quickly, with precision, and underpressure, is critical to the success of their car. A typical four tire pit stop takes around 12 seconds. Behind the wall, other crew members support the team to help monitor data, adjust race strategy, guide the driver and handle backup tools, gear and tires.
The LEGACY MOTOR CLUB pit crew is composed of former collegiate athletes from a wide variety of sports including swimming, baseball, basketball and football.
Pit crews endure extreme physical exertion—lifting heavy tires, operating impact wrenches, and rapidly executing split-second maneuvers—all while wearing fireproof suits in ambient temperatures that often exceed 90°F.
To stay in peak shape, pit crews focus on strength and conditioning as well as speed and agility. Pit stops require explosive power so weight lifting is critical for upper and lower body strength. Workouts can include deadlift, squats, sled pushes, box jumps and more to simulate race-day movements. Since seconds count in each pit stop, crews practice speed and agility - mainly focused on footwork and explosiveness as well as drills to improve their reaction time and hand-eye coordination.
For recovery, each member of the pit crew has their own regime. Some favor cold tubs, the sauna, compression therapy or guzzling their favorite green juice. A nutritious and balanced diet, relaxation (often with video games), and sleep are also incredibly important.
Depending on the race, pit crews can be outside for up to 5 hours in the heat. Combine that with radiant heat generated from the cars and the asphalt which retains heat, a race track can start at 80°F and rise to 130°F by the end of the day. Because of the heat on the track, hydration is critical for both drivers and pit crews. Without proper hydration, heat exhaustion, fatigue, or even heatstroke can set in, severely affecting performance.
Research has shown that an athlete at just 2% dehydration can lose up to 10% of their overall performance. Heat exhaustion and dehydration can lead to slower reaction times and fatigue, greatly affecting pit stop efficiency.
Maintaining proper hydration, including ensuring adequate electrolyte replenishment, can improve muscle function, reduce fatigue, and sharpen cognitive performance, all of which are vital for pit crews striving to shave even fractions of a second off a stop.
Many teams use cooling vests and ice towels to help regulate body temperature between stops. However, those methods alone are not enough to ensure teams are at the top of their game. Now, the LEGACY MOTOR CLUB Pit Crews will be outfitted with Nix Hydration Biosensors too.
"Hydration plays a massive role in keeping our team at peak performance," said Chris Hall, Director of Pit Crew Operations. "Whether it's Jimmie Johnson behind the wheel or our pit crew jumping over the wall, we need everyone operating at their absolute best. By working with Nix Biosensors, we can take a scientific approach to hydration, helping our entire team push the limits and gain a competitive edge."
A fast and error-free pit stop can gain a driver valuable positions on the track. A slow or error-filled stop (loose lug nuts, spilled fuel, penalties) can cost the team a race. Pit crews, which are often just as competitive as the drivers, want to win. Layering in hydration data allows these pit crews and drivers who train rigorously to execute under immense pressure and in extreme environmental conditions. “Even a one-second delay in a pit stop can mean the difference between winning and losing. With our Hydration Biosensor, we’re giving the team the data they need to stay sharp, strong, fast, and safe" said Meridith Cass, Founder & CEO of Nix Biosensors.
For additional information on Nix’s inclusion in the world of motocross, explore our Whitepaper on Pitfit Motorsport detailing during data collection on drivers during the Bommarito 500.