A - Z of NASCAR Tips
Read these 35 A - Z of NASCAR Tips tips to make your life smarter, better, faster and wiser. Each tip is approved by our Editors and created by expert writers so great we call them Gurus. LifeTips is the place to go when you need to know about NASCAR tips and hundreds of other topics.
Superspeedway
An oval track measuring two and half miles in length is known as a superspeedway. These tracks require cars to use a carburetor restrictor plate. Examples of superspeedways are Talledega Superspeedway and Daytona International Speedway.
Happy Hour
Happy hour is typically held in the late afternoon the day before the race. It is the final hour of practice before the actual start of the race.
Lapped Traffic
The cars that are no longer on the lead lap are known as lapped traffic. These cars are usually far slower than the leaders.
Gas-and-go
Gas-and-go, also known as a splash-and-go, is a quick pit stop where the car receives fuel only.
Rookie Driver
Any driver who is competing in their first year of the series, is known as a rookie driver.
Fabricator
The team member who prepares the sheet metal (the body of a stock car) at the race shop is known as the fabricator. It is also their job to tend to it as needed at the race track.
Camber
The tilt of a tire measured in degrees from vertical is referred to as camber. Changing the camber of tires makes the tires touch more or less of the racing surface. Positive camber is when the angle of the tire is tilted away from the vehicle's centerline while negative camber means the tire is tilted toward the centerline. Camber is decided depending on tire wear and/or tire temperature.
Victory Lane
The circle or square in a fenced-in area where a driver celebrates a winning finish is known as Victory Lane. He celebrates with his family, car owners, crew and sponsors.
Series
The three major series found in NASCAR are Winston Cup, Busch and Craftsman Truck. The other nine series include the NASCAR Weekly Racing Series and the following Touring Series: Busch North, Featherlite Modified, Featherlite Southwest, Goody's Dash, Hills Bros. All Pro, Raybestos Northwest, RE/MAX Challenge and Winston West.
Stock Car
In the early days of racing, drivers would typically race their cars just as they bought them from the dealer. This type of car is considered stock. Today, these 'stock' cars, contain very little of the original vehicle found in the showroom. Modifications are made to enhance the speed of the racecar and to make them as safe as possible. A racing stock car has no headlights, no door handles and no side window glass. Even though the majority of each stock car raced in NASCAR is specially designed for racing, they are still considered 'stock'.
Air Pressure
Ever since radial tires with stiffer sidewalls have been used, changing the air pressure within the tires is used as another setup tool when adjusting spring rates in the vehicle's suspension. If the air pressure is increased, the "spring rate" in the tire will raise. This changes the car's handling characteristics. For example, if the racecar is "tight" coming off a corner, the driver might request a slight air pressure increase in the right rear tire to "loosen it up."
Road Courses
Race tracks with left and right-hand turns at varying angles are known as road courses. These tracks have a tendency of elevation changes as well. Two road courses are Sears Point Raceway and Watkins Glen International.
Provisional Entry
The final seven spots in a NASCAR race are reserved for drivers who qualify unsuccessfully during the weekend. These spots are determined by the points accumulated during past races.
Tachometer
The tachometer is an instrument drivers use to determine engine speed and performance. It measures the number of revolutions per minute (RPM).
Short Track
Race tracks measuring one mile or less in length are known as short tracks. At these tracks, aerodynamics and horsepower aren't particularly important in winning the race. Three examples of short tracks are Bristol Motor Speedway, Martinsville Speedway and Richmond International Raceway.
Backstretch
The straight section of track that is located on the opposite side of the start/finish line is known as the backstretch. It lies between the second and third turn.
Frontstretch
The section of race track between the fourth and first turns is known as the frontstretch. Typically located in the center of this section is the flagstand and start/finish line.
Loose
A car is called loose when a driver goes through a turn and the rear of the car starts to swing toward the outside wall. This makes the driver feel as if he's losing control of the car and about to spin. This condition happens when the rear tires aren't sticking well to the track and providing enough traction. This is also known as oversteer.
Getting Hung Out to Dry
A driver that loses his race position because he lost the draft is sometimes referred to as getting hung out to dry. When this occurs, the driver needs to get back in line with the other cars where he can go faster.
Aero Push
The airflow from the leading vehicle does not travel across the following one(s) in a normal manner if the following vehicles are close. Because of this, the downforce on the front of the trailing vehicle(s) is decreased and it does not turn in the corners as well, resulting in an "aero push."
