NASCAR Terms

Back Stretch - The straight section of track located opposite the start/finish line.

Banking - The angle of a racetracks racing surface.

On The Lead Lap - The driver is on the same lap as the leader.

Champion’s Provisional - A past champion who doe’s not qualify for a race based on time may start at the rear of the field.

Restrictor Plate - A thin metal plate with four holes what restrict air flow to the engine causing reduced horse power and speed. Used only at NASCAR’s superspeedways -Daytona and Talladega.

Crew Chief - The leader of a raceteam. He decides changes for cars or strategies.

Downforce - This is the downward force that pushes a car onto the track and keeps it from loosing traction at high speeds.

Drafting - Drivers race in single file and share air flow. Cares will drive must faster together then seperately due to a vacuum created by the first car that actually pulls the car behind it.

Front Stretch - The straight section of racetrack located between the first and last turns.

Fuel Cell - Gas tank.

Gas and Go - A pit stop where the car gets gas only - no tires or adjustments.

Gas man - Crew member respoonsible for fueling the car.

Jackman - Crew member responsible for jacking up the car during pit stops to change tires.

Lapped Traffic - Cars not on the lead lap.

Loose - The rear tires are not providing enough traction making the car try to fishtail when going through a turn. The driver does nnot feel like he has control of the car.

NASCAR - National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing.

NASCAR Nextel Cup Series - NASCAR’s top series.

Pit Boxes - Pit area with yellow lines for use during pit stops.

Pit Crew - Seven people (max allowed over the wall) that service a car during pit stops.

Pit Road - A stretch of road that usually runs parallel to the frontstretch where cars go to get gas, tires, minor repairs or adjustments.

Pit Stop - When a car pulls into pit road for gas or services to his car.

Pole Winner - Driver who has the fastest lap during qualifying and starts the race in the # one spot.

Rear Spoiler - Regulates air flow over a car and helps push the back end of the car into the track giving the car better traction.

Rookie Of The Year - Fist year driver who’s best 15 finishes are better than any other first year driver.

Roof Flaps - Flaps of metal that are flat when the car is moving forward but flip up when the car spins backward or sideways to keep the car from going airborne.

Trackbar - A part or the rear suspension that keeps the cars rear tires centered within the cars body.

Tight - The front tires don’t turn well through the turns. The front tires loose traction before the rear tires.

Victory Lane - The area on the infield where drivers, crews, owners, sponsers and their families celebrate a victory.

The races, the drivers and all that happens in NASCAR.

NASCAR

NASCAR Terms