Understanding some basic NASCAR terms is important, as this will help you enjoy the show, understand what’s really going on in the race, and learn more about the strategies and skills used in NASCAR.
What is a ‘free pass’ or ‘lucky dog’ in NASCAR?
The free pass or ‘lucky dog’ in NASCAR terms, involves a car that was one lap behind getting back on the lead lap and recovering the lap they lost during caution periods.
During a caution, the cars reduce their speed and follow what’s known as the pace car. The free pass goes to the first car that is one lap behind, and with this, the driver gets to overtake the pace car to get his lap back. This rule assists drivers in returning from pit stops or incidents without coming through the field to make up the lap. It is a rule that can change race tactics and allow the drivers to perform, even if they had difficulties before.
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What is the ‘pace car’?
The pace car gets on the racetrack during caution periods when debris is cleared or accidents are handled to manage the speed of the race cars on the track. The pace car also precedes the cars at the start of the race and during restarts. Its purpose is critical in assuring safety and stability when certain moments of the race may be rather chaotic.
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What’s ‘marbles’ in NASCAR ?
In NASCAR terms, “marbles” are small rubber crumbs that are shed off the tires and build up at the outside edges of the track or into the corners.
These tiny pieces of rubber come off the tires because of the intense heat and friction during a race. While it might seem that more rubber on the track would increase traction, the opposite is true: when a car drives over these marbles, it can easily skid and this may lead to a crash.
What’s the ‘groove‘?
In NASCAR terms, the ‘groove’ is the ideal racing line on the tracks that most drivers race on to achieve the best lap times.
This groove is the portion of the track where the asphalt has been rubbered in, which has the most grip as a result of the buildup of tire rubber from successive use by racing cars. The groove can change during the race as rubber accumulates on some parts of the track due to differences in track condition and the progressive wear of the tires. Going outside from this line could result in drivers running on ‘marbles’ and starting to slide.
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What is ‘drafting’?
‘Drafting’ is one of the NASCAR terms that describes a technique in which one car stays very close to another car and benefits from the car in front of it to cut down on air resistance (drag). This makes the trailing car save on fuel and, if the path is clear, it may increase its speed. Therefore, the car following can achieve the same velocity with fewer engine works as the pressure drag acting on it is minimized. This strategy is used mostly in long races in order to spare fuel and tires and set the position for a final attack in the last laps.
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What is dirty air vs. clean air?
“Dirty air” in NASCAR terms is the turbulent air that is around a car and causes the car following it to have poor handling and aerodynamics, while ‘clean air’ is smooth air that allows for better aerodynamics of the car.
Such a phenomenon as ‘dirty air’ decreases downforce and adhesion, meaning they are unable to carry speed effectively through the turns. On the other hand, “clean air” is the better airflow that cars that are leading or the ones with no car in front of them enjoy because this enhances their aerodynamics and thus means faster lap times. These air conditions need to be controlled in the best way possible to enhance the performance and have better race results.
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What does ‘handling’ mean in NASCAR?
Car handling in NASCAR terms can be described as the manner in which the car responds to the driver’s commands on the tracks in factors like grip levels, balance, and responsiveness to commands like steering, throttle, and braking, among others.
Handling helps keep the car stable at high speeds when going through turns, and poor handling may result in understeering or oversteering. The teams tune suspension, tires, and aerodynamics for each race in a bid to achieve faster lap times and good and consistent handling of the car.
What does ‘loose’ and ‘tight’ mean in NASCAR terms?
In NASCAR terms, ‘loose’ means that the car is more likely to experience oversteer, which is when the rear tires spin out before the front tires, and ‘tight’ means the car is understeering, where the front tires start to spin before the rear tires, making hard to turn the car.
Control of these conditions is very important for drivers because their improper handling results in decreased lap times or accidents. The teams have to fine-tune the car setup on various handling traits on a regular basis.
What does a spotter do in NASCAR?
A spotter, in NASCAR terms, is a team member who works with a particular driver and who is usually situated many stories up in a spotter’s stand or tower and whose main function is to give the driver vital information and instructions on how to help navigate traffic or accidents during a race.
Spotters have the crucial role of informing the driver of what is happening around him, particularly in busy races or overtaking battles for points. They also guide drivers on the most optimal racing line, inform them of the presence of approaching cars or accidents, and assist in decision-making like pit stops and restarts.
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What does ‘green-white-checkered’ mean?
A green-white-checkered finish is a procedure that is employed in order to make NASCAR races end, not under caution but under competition. It consists of a launch lap (green flag), a racing lap (white flag), and where the victory is decided, the final and finishing lap (checkered flag).
Normally, the end of a race in NASCAR is performed under a green flag. But if a caution comes out towards the end of the race, officials can add two more laps and give the drivers the opportunity to race to the finish line under green-flag circumstances. In case there is another caution during these laps, the race goes around again for a second try at the two-lap finish, green flag race.