Trailer tire failure leads NHRA team to equip trucks with TPMS

BROWNSBURG, Ind. — After suffering a potentially tragic accident earlier this year by one of its tractor-trailers, Don Schumacher Racing has retrofitted its fleet of 18 trucks with tire-pressure-monitoring systems (TPMS).

The decision came after a mishap that occurred in January, when one of the team's trucks, carrying driver Ron Capps' Funny Car, caught fire after road debris punctured one of the trailer's tires and caused it to come apart. Flailing steel belts produced sparks that ignited a fire, which spread quickly and eventually damaged much of the trailer's contents.

"After the trailer fire earlier this year, Don (Schumacher) challenged us to find something to help prevent any similar situations from occurring in the future," Beth Hyatt, DSR's hospitality and fleet manager, said in a statement.

That challenge led the Brownsburg-based racing team to the use of TPMS as an effective way to monitor the situation, and then to Advantage PressurePro L.L.C., a Harrisonville, Mo.-based supplier of such systems.

During the five-month pause in the NHRA season due to the COVID-19 pandemic, all of DSR's trucks and trailers were equipped with PressurePro's PULSE displays and Dynamic Sensors, the company said.

The PressurePro system delivers continuous tire performance data to the drivers to any tire fluctuations, and will indicate when it's necessary to stop.

"Safety is always our No. 1 priority at DSR, and knowing we now have an added layer of protection is important to all of us," Ms. Hyatt said.

Vanessa Hargrave, PressurePro chief operating officer, said DSR "understands, more than most, the significance that proper tire maintenance has not just on your efficiencies while traveling, but to the safety of your drivers, equipment and others on the road."

During a normal season, DSR's trucks will travel about 35,000 miles on average, criss-crossing the U.S. to as many as 24 events per year. Most recently, the team's trucks left Brownsburg Sept. 24 for 880-mile trip to Gainesville Raceway in Florida for the NHRA Gatornationals.

DSR's fleet consists of 14 race trucks used to transport race car chassis, bodies and all necessary parts, pieces, tools, and crew chief lounges and four other trucks used for drivers and crew and for hospitality.

Advantage PressurePro caters to the commercial vehicle industry, developing products and systems for drivers and fleets that help improve safety, increase efficiency and reduce environmental impact.