NASCAR Q&A
What is the banking of a racetrack?
A racetrack's banking refers to the sloping of a racetrack, particularly at a curve or a corner, from the apron to the outside wall. The degree of banking refers to the height of a racetrack's slope at the outside edge.
What is Happy Hour?
Happy Hour is the slang term for the last official practice session held before an event. It usually takes place the day before the race and after all qualifying and support races have been staged.
What is pit road?
Pit Road is the area where pit crews service the cars. Generally pit road is isolated along the front straightaway, but because of space limitations, some racetracks contain pit roads on the front and back straightaways.
What is the pole position?
Pole position is the slang term for the foremost position on the starting grid, awarded to the fastest qualifier and generally the "left" or "inside" position on the first row at all tracks except Watkins Glen.
How much does a Sprint Cup car weigh?
3,400 lbs. without the driver.
How much does a primary sponsorship cost?
On a top Sprint Cup car, anywhere from $12 to $20 million.
What is a rookie stripe?
Yellow tape on the back bumper of a driver's racecar. The yellow stripe recognizes the driver's status as a series rookie and lets other drivers know that the driver has less race experience or has "unknown tendencies" in certain situations. It is simply meant as an alert to other drivers as they approach them on the track.
NASCAR Vocabulary
200 mph tape
Essentially this is nothing more than colored duct tape (to match the basic colors of the car) that is used to keep sheet metal adhered to the car after the car has sustained body damage. The term was coined when speeds were in excess of 200 mph at tracks such as Daytona and Talladega.
Back Marker
A racer who is bringing up the rear of the field.
Camber
An adjustment made to the front tires of the car. A positive camber points away from the center and a negative camber points toward the center. "Camber" is put into the front tires to make them turn more easily.
Cold Pass
A credential used weekly at each track that allows the recipient access to the garage or pit area at times when they are not "hot". (i.e., When Sprint Cup cars are on the track or at NASCAR designated times prior to or after the Sprint Cup cars are on the track.)
Debris
Something spotted on the track by a NASCAR official that could cause a caution period.
Dirty-air
Air used and discarded by the lead car which makes cars behind the leader tougher to pass. The difference between "dirty-air" and "drafting" has to do with the distance a trailing car may be behind the lead car. In order to benefit from drafting trailing car(s) will be directly behind the leading car. Dirty air affects cars that are trailing by a few car lengths as they enter the air coming off of the lead car.)
Drafting
The first car cuts through the air and creates less resistance for the rear of the car. All cars following the lead car will run faster as the air is flowing over the cars, hence more cars in a line will run faster than a single car.
Drag
Air Resistance that counters the forward movement of the car.
Free or "Loose"
When the car wants to spin out and the rear tires loose traction before the front tires do.
Front Splitter
The lower front section on the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series stock cars that is adjustable by the teams up to 4 degrees. The splitter is designed to create additional downforce on the front of the car.
Green Track
This term refers to the actual racing surface. The cars are able to stick to the surface of a track that has previously been raced on because of the rubber from the race tires leaving a "tacky" surface. When rain washes this rubber off of the track or if the track has not been used for racing for a long time it is considered "green".
Grip
The ability of the cars to adhere to the surface of the race track. (i.e., "little grip" means the cars are having a hard time sticking to the track. This could be because of a cold track surface or a "green" track.)
Groove
It is the preferred "line" through the turn. There may be a high groove and/or a low groove.
Hard card
An annual credential for members of race teams, sponsors, agency partners and other support personnel that attend more than 15 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series events per year.
Hot Pass
A credential used weekly at each track that allows the recipient access to the garage or pit area at any time during the race weekend.
Lucky Dog
The first car one lap down to the leaders during a caution period is allowed to make up his lap and join the lead lap cars as the last car on the lead lap. The "Lucky Dog".
Marbles
Bits of rubber and other material on the track, usually above the racing groove, that may cause a driver to wreck if he hits it at high speed. "Marbles" is the term used because this material is like driving on marbles if hit at a high speed. Push or "Tight"- When the car wants to drive straight rather than turn. The driver must work harder to make the car turn.
Rear wing
It helps to create down force on the rear of the car making it more stable at high speeds.
Restrictor Plate
A square metal plate with four (4) holes drilled through it and placed over the carburetor at the two Superspeedways, (Daytona & Talladega), to restrict airflow into the engine and reduce horsepower and, ultimately, the speed of the car. It is done strictly for safety to slow the cars.
Safer Barrier
(Steel And Foam Energy Reduction Barrier) A structure developed after years of testing that has been installed in the turns at all NASCAR Sprint Cup Series tracks to protect drivers from injury in the event that they hit the wall. The safer barriers are installed only on portions of the track walls that are not straight. (e.g., the turns and sections of the tri-oval, etc.)
Scuff Tires
Tires that have been run on the track but that may have some remaining rubber on them that would allow a team to re-use them during the race.
Silly Season
When a team might announce a driver or sponsor change at an unexpected time. Usually toward the middle or end of the season.
Spotter
A team member(s) located high atop a section of the race track that allows him/her to see the entire track. The spotter is in communication with the driver and crew chief via radio and alerts him/her to any potential track issues. (e.g., accident, cars passing, pits open, etc.) The spotter is essentially the drivers "eyes" during the race.
Spring rubber
A piece of curved rubber that teams can insert onto the springs of the car to "stiffen" (spring rubber in) or "loosen" (spring rubber out) the feel of the car on the track.
Sticker tires
They are brand new tires with the manufacturer stickers still on them.
Tear-offs
Clear Lexan sheets that adhere to the windshield of the race cars. These can be torn off during pit stops essentially creating a "clean" windshield". Teams will use 6 - 8 tear-offs on the drivers side windshield during a race. Less on the passenger side.
Walk-thru pass
A credential used weekly at each track that allows the recipient access to the garage when accompanied by an individual with a NASCAR hard card.
Wedge
A term used to describe an adjustment teams make to the car via the rear window. Wedge refers to "pressure" put on the rear wheels of the car. More wedge puts more of the wheel surface on the track, (tightening up the car), less wedge puts less of the wheel surface on the track, (loosening up the car.)
