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NASCAR
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Official NASCAR Merchandise Get your favorite racing team's logo merchandise here! |
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AERODYNAMICS: As applied to racing,
the study of airflow and the forces of resistance and pressure that result from the flow
of air over, under and around a moving car. Cars are often tested in wind tunnels to learn
more about drag, air turbulence, and downforce. By applying what is learned teams can
increase speed.
AERO PUSH: When a car pulls closely into another car's air stream causing a pushing or
understeer effect.
AIR DAM: The low front spoiler of the car that directs air over or around the car to
create a force (downforce) that pushes the front of the race car down onto the race track.
APEX: The point on the inside of turn where the car makes the transition from entering to
exiting the turn.
APRON: The very bottom of the race track. The paved portion of a race track that separates
the racing surface from the infield.
BACKUP CAR: A complete and set up second car brought to the race by each team. The backup
car may not be unloaded at any time during all NASCAR national series practices or
pre-race activities, unless the primary car is damaged beyond repair. Backup cars must
also pass all NASCAR inspections.
BALANCED: Perfect grip on both the front and rear tires. Not loose or pushing.
BALLAST: Weight that is added to the car, usually in the frame, to help meet NASCAR's
weight specifications.
BANKING: The sloping of a race track, particularly at a curve or corner, from the apron to
the height of a track's slope at its outside edge. The higher the degree of banking the
faster the cars can run because the do not have to slow down as much to get through the
turns. The steepest banking in the turns on the Winston Cup Circuit is the 36 degree turns
of Bristol Motor Speedway and the shallowest is 6 degrees at Pocono International.
BINDERS: Brakes.
BITE: (1)"Round of bite" describes the turning or adjusting of a car's jacking
screws found at each wheel. "Weight jacking" distributes the car's weight at
each wheel. (2)Adhesion of a tire to the track surface. When a racecar recovers after a
turn or a slide and the tires regain traction with the race track.
BLACK FLAGGED (Black Flag): This is the dreaded flag that no driver wants to see. It means
"go to your pit, get off the racetrack, you've done something wrong." Often it
means a driver is dumping fluids on the track making it dangerous, or was speeding on the
pit road, which is against the rules.
BLEND LINE: The painted line on the track near the apron and extending from the pit road
exit into the first turn. When leaving the pits a driver must stay below the line to
safely blend back into traffic.
BLOCK(ing): When a driver changes position on the track to prevent drivers behind them
from passing.
BLOWED (Motor): Major engine failure, for instance when a connecting rod goes through the
engine block producing a lot of smoke and steam. "We blowed the motor."
BLUE FLAG WITH YELLOW / STRIPE: Signals a slower driver to move over on the track and let
the leaders proceed. This usually occurs near the end of a race when the slower car is
many laps behind. This flag is to ensure safety for the cars still racing for the win.
BOBBLE: The car gets a little loose and the driver corrects, the car wiggles back and
forth. Something like a fishtail.
BRAKE FADE: Reduced brake performance - when brakes can no longer stop the car
effectively. Caused when brake pads, rotors and fluid exceed their operating temperatures.
BRAKE DUCT: Opening's in the body panel and other locations of a stock car that take in
air to help kept the brake system cool.
BUBBLE: The slowest position in first round qualifying. The driver can be "knocked
off the bubble," meaning bumped out of the field until second round qualifing.
CAMBER: An angle adjustment to the front wheels that determines how the tires make contact
with the track while cornering. The camber is said to be negative if the top of the wheel
is angled inward.
CAUTION (Yellow Flag): A period in racing in which track conditions are too hazardous for
racing due to an accident or debris on the racing surface. The cars remain in their racing
positions behind the pace car until it is determined that it is safe to resume the race.
CHASSIS: The framework that supports the body of the car. Stock cars use a steel tube
frame chassis.
CHECKED UP: While racing the driver slows down slightly - something like just lifting his
foot from the accelerator.
CHECKERED: The black and white checkered flag is the most coveted flag of all. As the cars
cross the finish line, under the flying checkered, their positions are permanently
recorded. The checkered flag means the race is complete and a winner declared.
COLLECT: A spinning car will often "collect" up a few other cars and take them
out of the race.
COMPOUND: A formula or "recipe" of rubber composing a particular tire. Different
tracks require different tire compounds. Left-side tires are considerably softer than
right-side tires and it's against the rules to run left sides on the right.
COMPRESSION RATIO: The total volume of the cylinder compared to the compressed volume when
the piston reaches the top of its stroke. The higher the ratio, the more power the engine
produces. Winston Cup engines have a compression ratio of 12 to 1 and Busch engines have
had a compression ratio of 9-1/2 to 1. Beginning with the 2001 season the Busch cars will
also have 12:1 compression ratio engines. With 150 more horsepower, the BGN cars will have
significantly more power.
CREW CHIEF: Team leader. Depending on the team, duties include everything from making
assignments in the shop, to calling the shots in the pits, to handling airline and motel
reservations.
CROSS: The difference in weight between the left front corner of the car and its right
rear corner.
DIALED IN: When a car is performing at its maximum. Also called "hooked up."
DNF: The race participant Did Not Finish.
DNQ: The driver Did Not Qualify for the race.
DONUT: The black circular mark resulting from contact with competitor's tire(s), usually
found on side of the car.
DOWNFORCE: Basically, the pressure of the air on a car as it races. Downforce increases
with velocity - that is, rapidity of motion or speed. In other words, the more downforce
the faster it goes. It is affected and controlled by the shape of body components, such as
air dams, fenders, and rear spoilers.
DRAFT: A low-pressure air pocket behind a race car, created by air flowing over and around
it.
DRAFTING: Practice of two, or more, cars, while racing, to run nose to tail, almost
touching. The lead car, by displacing air in front of it, creates a vacuum between its
rear end and the following car's nose. The second car is actually pulled by the first.
This also helps to push the front car, allowing the cars to gain speed and save fuel.
EQUALIZE: Cars in super speedway races are required to run tires with both inner tubes and
inner liners, which are actually small tires inside the standard tires. When the inner
liner loses air pressure and that pressure becomes the same as that within the outer tire,
the tire is said to have equalized and a vibration is created.
FACTORY: A term designating the "Big Three" auto manufacturers, General Motors,
Ford and Chrysler. The "factory days" refer to periods in the 1950s and '60s
when the manufactures actively and openly provided sponsorship money and technical support
to some race teams.
FLAGMAN: The person standing on the tower above the Start/Finish Line who controls the
race with the display of specific flags.
FLAT-SPOTTED: A tire that has developed a flat area usually resulting from a skid. Flat
spots lead to vibrations that may require a pit stop for new tires.
FRESH RUBBER: New tires acquired during a pit stop.
FUEL CELL: Gas tank for refueling race cars, holds 22 gallons of fuel. Consists of a metal
"box" that contains a flexible tear-resistant bladder and foam baffling. A
product of aerospace technology, it's designed to eliminate or minimize fuel spillage -
and the possibility of fire.
GARAGE: Area of race track where cars are housed during an event; work area for car
preparation while at a speedway.
GOT THE GREEN: A green flag is used to restart the race. The pace car will pull off the
track into pit lane and the race resumes. Note: the race cars do not come to a stop on the
track at anytime, unless a red flag is thrown.
GRAVEL PIT or TRAP: A gravel or sand pit at the side of a turn on a road course, to slow a
car that misses the turn and keep it from crashing into a wall. Referred to by some
drivers as 'kitty litter.'
GROOVE: The best 'lane' around a speedway; the most efficient or quickest way around the
speedway for a particular driver. The 'high groove' takes a car closer to the outside wall
for most of a lap. The 'low groove' takes a car closer to the apron then the outside wall.
Road racers use the term 'line'.
HANDLING: A reference to a racecar's
performance with relation to the driver's ability to control the car. Suspension, tires
and air flow all contribute.
HAPPY HOUR: The last practice before a race. Crews have one hour in which to dial in their
car for the race the next day.
HAULER: Tractor trailer that carries the team from track to track. Typically they carry
two race cars as well as all the tools and gear needed.
HEAT: A race before the main event.
HIGH AND DRY: See Hung Out To Dry
HIGH-GROOVE: See Groove
HOOKED-UP: Same as Dialed In.
HORSEPOWER: Horsepower is a unit of measurement representing how much power an engine
generates. More horsepower equals a faster car. Winston Cup cars have significantly more
power, producing more than 750 horsepower. Busch cars generate 550 horsepower. You would
think that a Winston Cup car goes faster, right? Not necessarily - a Busch car is 100
pounds lighter and the wheelbase is shorter, they reach speeds almost as high as the
Winston Cup cars.
HOT-LAPPING: Taking practice laps before the race begins.
HUNG OUT TO DRY: When a driver looses positions, after attempting to pass on the outside
of a line of racecars in the draft, and other drivers won't allow them back in the draft.
Also referred to as High and Dry.
INSIDE LINE: The shortest and usually the fastest, line around the track. The lane closest
to the infield. Also see Groove.
JUMPED THE RESTART: When a driver takes off too early while anticipating the restart. The
driver is black flagged and assessed a "Stop And Go" penalty.
KULWICKI VICTORY LAP: After winning a race the driver takes the victory lap but does so by
running the opposite way around the track, with the driver's side of the car next to the
fans. First done by Alan Kulwicki, this 'backwards' victory lap became known as taking a
'Kulwicki' victory, as a tribute to the late Kulwicki, who died in 1994.
KITTY LITTER: See Gravel Pit or Trap
LAPPED: When the race leader catches a
car from behind and then passes that car. (The passed car has been lapped.)
LEAD LAP: The lap that the race leader is on. If passed by the leader, you are no longer
on the lead lap and it is said that you are a lap down or you have been lapped.
LIFT: It's fairly complicated, but the short version involves the surface area of the car
and fluid dynamics combining to cheat gravity causing the car to become airborne. See Roof Flags
LOOP: When a driver spins out, especially when done deliberately to avoid a wreck.
LOOSE: Basically, a handling condition where the front tires have more traction than the
rear tires. The tendency of a car's rear wheels to break away from the pavement, swinging
its rear end toward the outside wall. Fishtailing - also called 'oversteer'. A car that is
loose is faster than a car that is tight.
LOOSE STUFF: Debris such as sand, pebbles, or “marbles” that tend to collect
near the outside wall.
LOW-GROOVE: See Groove
MAGNAFLUX: Short for 'magnetic particle inspection'. A procedure for checking all ferrous
(steel) parts - suspension pieces, connecting rods, cylinder heads, etc. - for cracks and
other defects utilizing a solution of metal particles and fluorescent dye and a black
light. Surface cracks will appear as red lines.
MARBLES: Bits of auto debris, such as dried oil or torn off pieces of tires, that lie on
the track and make it hard for the tires to keep their hold on the track.
NASCAR: An acronym for the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing. Founded in
December 1947 by Bill France Sr and others.
OUT BRAKE: Braking later and deeper into a corner - a driver gains time and track position
on a competitor.
OVERSTEER: Same as Loose.
PACE CAR: The official car that leads competitors at a safe speed during warm-up, parade,
pace lap, caution periods and restarts.
PACE LAP: The last warm-up lap before a race where the cars assume their start-up
positions.
PARTS CAR: A car used for its working parts which can be used in other cars.
PINCHED: When a racecar on the outside cuts-off a car on the inside while going down into
the turn, causing the car on the inside to slow down and fall in behind.
PIT: Area of a race track, off the racing surface, where a car stops for servicing. A
temporary garage where the crew can refuel, change tires and make other minor repairs or
adjustments to the race car. Each team is alloted one pit per car along pit row.
PIT ROAD: The paved roadway from the race track that leads into or exits from the pit
area.
PIT ROW: The area designated for teams to set up their pit. Often called "the
pits."
PIT STOP: When drivers bring their race cars into the pit area for fuel, tires and
mechanical adjustments during a race.
POINTS RACE: The competition to earn enough points to win the Championship at the end of
the season.
POLE, (POLE POSITION, POLE SITTER): The most desirable place to start a race. The pole is
on the inside of the track at the start/finish line. Since NASCAR races begin with a
rolling start after the pace lap this position is on the inside line as the cars approach
the green flag at the beginning of a race. Pole sitters have been determined by pole
qualifying race (1959-65); by two-lap average (1966-68); by fastest single lap since 1969.
PROVISIONAL: There are seven provisional positions in a starting field of 43 for every
race. Six spots are awarded by the use of provisionals based on OWNERS points. The seventh
is awarded to a past champion who has not otherwise qualified for the race
PUSHING: Handling characteristics of a car where its front end tends to 'push' or 'plow'
toward the outside wall in a corner. Also called 'understeer'.
QUALIFYING: The competition among drivers to determine the starting line up or starting
grid of a race. The driver with the fastest lap earns the pole position, the second
highest lap speed gets the outside pole position, other starting positions are filled
accordingly. Since there is a limited number of starting spots available a driver may fail
to qualify for the race.
RED FLAG: A solid red flag is used to
stop the race immediately. Generally races are stopped for bad accidents or weather.
Occasionally, a multiple car accident will stop a race. Wreckers and fire marshals clear
the track of cars, debris and fluids. Alternatively, rain makes the surface of the race
track dangerous. Once NASCAR officials authorize the race to start again, a green flag
resumes the race.
RESTRICTOR PLATE: A plate attached to the carburetor that limits the amount of airflow
entering the combustion chamber. It decreases horsepower, slowing down the speeds the cars
can attain. Used at Daytona, Talladega with New Hampshire being added in the fall of the
2000 season.
REV RANGE: Jargon for the range of speeds (expressed as revolutions per minute [RPM's]) in
which an engine is designed to operate. The lowest point in the rev range is the idle
speed; the highest point is the redline.
ROAD COURSE: A closed course with turns to both the right and the left like a normal road.
(Sears Point and Watkins Glen)
ROOF FLAP(S): How they work - When the car is running on all four wheels and in a
relatively straight line, the air pressure inside the car is constant. When it turns
sideways, the pressure variant increases dramatically and the vehicle starts to obey the
laws of physics. The flaps are designed to spring open when the pressure reaches a certain
point, thereby venting the pressure and keeping the cars on the ground. NASCAR made the
flaps mandatory and each car is required to carry a set of them at all times. When the
pressure is vented, it also serves as sort of an invisible parachute, slowing the car
enough so that any impact with the wall is lessened dramatically. As the flaps deploy, the
car settles down on its wheels, once again subject to gravity. Developed by Jack Roush.
RUB(BING): See Swapping Paint.
SCUFF: A tire that has been used at least once and is saved for future racing. A lap or
two is enough to 'scuff' it in. This heats up the tires and has a tendency to harden the
rubber. This is done during practice sessions prior to a race.
SETUP: The combination of settings for a car's engine, aerodynamics, suspension and tires.
SETUP SHEETS: Records of setups from the different tracks under varying weather
conditions. Teams use this baseline to adjust setups when they arrive at a track.
SHOE: The Driver - pressing his shoe to the gas pedal. Also heard sometimes "Give it
some shoe."
SHOOT OUT: After a caution when all the cars are bunched together behind the pace car and
there are only a few laps remaining when the race is restarted. Drivers will try and
"shoot out" to the lead.
SHORT TRACK: A speedway under a mile in distance.
SLINGSHOT: A maneuver in which the driver of the trailing vehicle in a draft line breaks
the draft by turning (usually to the left if on an oval track), propelling the car around
the leader.
SPINOUT: When a race car that spins around due to being tapped, racing too close to
another car, or clipping another while attempting a pass.
SPLASH AND GO: Fuel only pit stop.
SPOILER: A metal strip that helps control airflow, downforce and drag. The front spoiler
or 'air dam' is underneath the car's front end near the axle; the rear spoiler is attached
to the trunk lid. "Adding more spoiler" refers to increasing the rear spoiler's
angle in relation to the rear window and generally aids a car's cornering ability.
"Less spoiler" - decreasing its angle - aids straightaway speed.
SPONSOR: An individual or business that financially supports a race driver, team, race or
series of races in return for advertising and marketing benefits.
SPOTTER: A race team member sitting where they can view the entire race track. An extra
pair of eyes for the driver - the spotter warns of wrecks, track conditions ahead of the
driver and the position of other cars, via two-way radio.
STAGGER: The difference in size between the tires on the left and right sides of a car.
Because of a tire's makeup, slight variations in circumference result. Stagger between
right-side and left-side tires may range from less than a half inch to more than an inch.
Stagger applies to only bias-ply tires and not to radials.
STICKER: A new tire. Term comes from the manufacturer's stick-on label denoting the type
of tire, price, etc..
STOP-AND-GO PENALTY: Punishment for a rule infraction during a race (usually speeding down
pit road). The driver must come down pit road, stop in his pit stall, usually for 15
seconds, then proceeds back to the track.
SUPERSPEEDWAY: A speedway one mile or more in distance. Road courses are included. NOTE:
Racers refer to three types of oval tracks. Short tracks are under a mile, 'intermediate'
tracks are at least a mile but under two miles and 'speedways' are two miles and longer.
SWAPPING PAINT: Making light contact with another car. Also known as rubbing or trading
paint.
T-BONE: During a wreck, when a car is hit in the door. The two cars make a T shape.
TAKING THE AIR: Occurs when one car pulls up behind another taking the flow of air off the
spoiler. This affects the downforce of the lead car making it loose. The lead car then
must slow down allowing the second car to pass.
TECH: Slang for a technical inspection. To tech a car, or to go through tech.
TECHNICAL INSPECTION: NASCAR's inspection of the race car to ensure that it is within the
guidelines set by the sanctioning body and meets all NASCAR mandated rules. This is done
to "ensure a level field".
TEMPLATE: A piece of aluminum that is placed on the car's body to gauge and regulate the
body's shape and dimensions. NASCAR officials refer to this as "aero-matching".
The process where they attempt to equalize the different manufacturers body styles.
TIGHT: Handling condition where a car has developed a 'push' and feels like it doesn't
want to turn. The opposite of 'loose'.
TRI-OVAL: Said of a race track that has a 'hump' or 'fifth turn' in addition to the
standard four corners. Not to be confused with a triangle-shaped speedway which has only
three distinct corners.
TURN A LAP: One full circle around the race track.
UNDERSTEER: Same as Pushing.
VICTORY LANE: After winning the driver proceeds to an area of the race track grounds
designated as Victory Lane for official ceremonies such as interviews, photos and
presentation of the trophy and winnings. The ultimate destination of any race car driver.
WARM-UP: The laps taken on the track prior to the race used to warm up the tires,
transmission, engine fluids and other components of the race car before the start of the
event.
WEDGE: Also known as cross weight. The balance of the weight on each corner of a race car
adjusted diagonally (Example: Left rear to right front). By taking out (lowering) the
wedge - understeer or push can be alleviated. By increasing the wedge setting the car can
be tightened, helping to alleviate a loose condition. This can be done can during a pit
stop to make a quick chassis adjustment. It is accomplished by turning a bolt, attached to
the top of the rear springs. Turning it in or out 360 degrees (Round of Wedge) or any
varying amount depending on the condition and its severity.
WHEEL BASE: The length between the front spindle center line and the rear axle center
line. A Winston Cup car has a wheelbase of 110 inches, while on a Busch car it is 105
inches.
WHITE FLAG: The flag shown to the race leader and the pursuing drivers telling them that
there is one lap to go before the end of the race and the finish line. This final lap is
almost always one of the most exciting as lead drivers vie for the best possible position
-- making that last ditch, all-out effort to win.
WIND TUNNEL: When a team wants to test any aerodynamic changes it does so in a "wind
tunnel". When a car is in the tunnel it is set up with the wheels on four pads hooked
to data gathering instruments that feeds into computers. Pressure measurements are also
taken from tiny orificies on the car. All data is analyzed, the team makes adjustments and
the process is repeated. The tunnel used by the majority of teams is the LFST (Langley
Full-Scale Tunnel), at Langley Air Force Base in Hampton, VA. Teams pay $ 1,400 per hour
to rent the tunnel and often spend from 12 hours to two days on a single car. Fortunately,
dimensions can be calculated and duplicated again on other cars.
WRENCH: The one who wields the wrenches, a mechanic.
YELLOW FLAG: Flag used to slow down the racers in the case of a crash, debris on the
course (like car parts), slick fluids on the track or the weather has become a factor with
rain. During a yellow flag the pace car, with the top lights flashing, joins up with the
race leader and sets a slower speed on the track. This is done to preserve the driving
order on the track as cars cannot pass one another under a yellow after crossing the
start/finish line. Drivers generally use this time to pit for refueling, new tires and
adjustments.
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