Today We are going to look at a few of the basics and more to do with NASCAR.
NASCAR Races
NASCAR is actually quite a broad umbrella term that makes up a number of different races and series. Not all of the NASCAR drivers you might have heard of take part in the same competitions. But what are the most notable series and races?
NASCAR Xfinity Series
This is a slightly smaller series of races but is still extremely popular. A lot of the top drivers in the Cup Series will have started and improved their skills and recognition in the Xfinity Series first. Some drivers still drive in both because they love NASCAR so much, and a few drivers actually stay racing in the Xfinity Series despite offers to move up to the Cup.
The cars in the Xfinity Series are slightly less powerful and slightly slower than those in Cup, but they can still produce about 750 horsepower, so they are still powerful cars.
Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series
This is the most famous set of NASCAR races and the one where you’re likely to see the most well-known drivers and teams. These cars have the biggest engines and produce the most horsepower. Speeds can vary from track to track, but cars in these races can get up to about 180 miles per hour.
NASCAR Gander Outdoors Truck Series
This series features trucks, as you can probably tell from the title. It doesn’t feature the same driver crossover as the other two main series, but it’s still extremely popular. The NASCAR Gander Outdoors Truck Series uses pickup trucks. Really powerful pickup trucks. These can get up to 180 miles per hour on the right tracks as well, and it’s quite a sight.
NASCAR race flags
If you’re new to NASCAR and are enjoying watching the races but aren’t sure what all the flags mean, then let’s have a quick look. This is especially difficult if you’re actually at the race rather than watching on television. On TV, they will tend to explain things a bit better and you’ll have a better idea of what’s going on. Visiting NASCAR races for the first time can be a bit daunting, and while you can’t see everything—they’re still a lot of fun. While most people actually watching the race at the racetrack has a good idea about NASCAR, not everyone does. You’ve got to start somewhere. So here’s what the flags mean:
Green flag: This is for either starting or restarting the race.
Yellow flag: This is to ask the drivers to slow down and drive cautiously, normally because of debris on the track that needs removing or some other incident.
Red flag: This means drivers have to stop on the track in specific areas because it isn’t safe to continue driving.
Black flag: This is to ask the driver to pit stop as soon as they can.
Blue flag with yellow stripe: This is to notify a slower driver that a faster car is about to lap them.
Keep this handy guide by your side when watching your next NASCAR race to stay in the know with stock-car racing terminology:
Camber: The amount a tire is tilted in or out from vertical. Described in degrees, either positive or negative.
Dirty air: Aerodynamic term for the turbulent air currents caused by fast-moving cars that can cause a particular car to lose control or find difficulty in passing.
Downforce: A combination of aerodynamic and centrifugal forces that help “plant” a race car to the ground. The more downforce, the more grip a car has. But more downforce also means more drag, which can rob a race car of speed.
Drafting: The practice of two or more cars, while racing, to run nose-to-tail, almost touching. The lead car, by displacing the air in front of it, creates a vacuum between its rear end and the nose of the following car, actually pulling the second car along with it.