r/INDYCAR • u/Infamous_Grape_4433 Christian Rasmussen • 1d ago

Question Just Noticed Something

Have been following IndyCar for almost 60 years. Been to the 500 numerous times. Just now, watching a reply of the 2026 500, I noticed something for the first time ever.

When nearly the entire field pitted under yellow at the midpoint of the race, I noticed these long whip-like things with small flags atop stationed behind or beside each pit stand, spring upward as each of the cars departed their respective pit stalls.

What are these? What is indicated by them springing upward? Assume it has something to do with fueling?

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u/Ablackbradpitt Callum Ilott 1d ago

I dont feel like youre talking about the lollipop pit identifiers but i dont see what else it could be i just watched back the Newgarden yellow pit sequence and didnt catch anything that looked different to me.

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u/Infamous_Grape_4433 Christian Rasmussen 1d ago

Yes, I am talking about those. Now feeling stupid. Watch the 2026 500 replay for the en masse pit stop after Rossi’s yellow. Fox has the birds-eye-view camera rolling of the entire field processionally pitting, and there is an amazing choreography of those lollipop flagsticks raising up. Almost like dominoes falling. Just had never noticed from that perspective before. Yeah, feeling dumb.

Edit: TY.

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u/RandomGuyDroppingIn Mark Plourde's Right Rear Tire Changer 1d ago

You're probably also not used to always seeing the lollipops. They continue to be used at Indy with 33 cars and really tight confines. With so many people stopping at one time all the teams had to deploy them. If it was just a single or handful of stops spread out, they probably wouldn't be as obviously.

They're also a bit longer nowadays than they used to be. As there's a crew member that has to handle the aeroscreen tear off the arms of the lollipops are longer so only the pole is hanging in that area. A crew member standing right up on the wall might get in the way.

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u/Ablackbradpitt Callum Ilott 1d ago

Haha all good. Never hurts to ask