What does “pit stop” mean?

A pit stop is a brief halt during an automobile race or journey for refueling, maintenance, or rest. The phrase was first used in racing during the early 20th century in the initial days of organized motorsports.

In motor racing, a pit stop occurs when a driver takes the car along a road called the pit lane, which connects to the racing track at both ends. They park in a designated area, or “pit,” where a team of mechanics, known as the pit crew, can carry out repairs, change tires and other parts, and refuel the car before it rejoins the race. The exact origin of the term pit in the context of auto racing is unclear. The most prevalent theory is that it refers to inspection pits (holes dug in the ground above which vehicles were parked in order for mechanics to inspect the undercarriage).

Pit crews train to complete racing pit stops as fast as possible. In modern open-wheel, single-seat racing competitions such as Formula One and IndyCar, regular pit stops are completed in less than 10 seconds. Pit stops during stock-car races, such as NASCAR, take 12–16 seconds on average because of regulations limiting the number of pit crew members who can work on the car. Endurance races, such as the 24 Hours of Le Mans, allow for stops that last 60 seconds or longer to accommodate more extensive repairs and even driver changes.

The timing and frequency of pit stops are critical components of a team’s race strategy. Each team tries to find the optimal balance between driving as fast as possible during the race, which usually increases fuel consumption and leads to tires and other mechanical parts wearing out faster, and minimizing the number of pit stops.

Though the term pit stop originated in motor racing, it is now commonly used in everyday language to refer to a brief break during travel for fuel, food, or rest, or to a temporary pause or deviation between regular activities.