Glossary / General

roller

8 Episode Mentions

Too Afraid to Ask

A “roller” is basically a car frame that can move, but it doesn’t have the engine installed yet. Racers use rollers because they can build the car exactly how they want.

Technical Definition

A “roller” is a car shell/chassis that has no engine or transmission installed, but it’s otherwise complete enough to roll and be built into a race car. In drag racing, people buy rollers to control the build parts and match the engine/transmission to their goals.

Hear It Discussed

"from where it is contacting the roller in that moment and then giving up that contact"
Slicks: The Sticky History of the World's Fastest Racing Tires The Dork-O-Motive Podcast 00:14

"I have a trailblazer motor sitting there ready to go. All I need is a roller and I could be racing comp eliminator."
Macie Gordon; Diamonds are Forever Bracket Breakdown 04:17

"they pull the engine you know hot rod truck they buy a roller it's a lot easier i think sometimes to buy a roller because you're not paying a premium for an engine that you may not know anything about"
What to Look For When Buying Someone Else's Unfinished Project Power Driven Podcast 30:42