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NASCAR 101 Q&A
- HOW TO CONTACT NASCAR? NEXTEL TO BECOME SPRINT CUP 2008
NASCAR mailing address is:
1801 W. International Speed Blvd
Daytona Beach, FL, 32114
(904) 253-0611
(904) 947-6732
(904) 947-6598
(904) 252-8804 FAX
(904) 957-6712 FAX
or
PO Box 2875
Daytona Beach, FL 32120-2875
(386) 253-0611
- Why do sometimes a driver who finishes lower then another driver
get more money? and How much do drivers get paid?
A lot of NASCAR drivers are eligible for various NASCAR awards
programs based on past performance. For example, drivers who have
won races in recent years, are part of a Winner's Circle program
(click for the latest update and rules on this program) that pays
them a predetermined amount of money for each race they start. Jeff
Gordon, as defending Winston Cup champion, gets a $10,000 bonus for
every race he starts this season. Other differences are based on
which contingency award programs a particular driver participates
in. For example, Gatorade pays bonuses to the top three cars at the
halfway point of a race. But, if one of the cars in the top three
does not carry the Gatorade sticker on its driver-side quarter
panel, it is not eligible to collect that money. This holds true for
more than a dozen contingency award programs. Another explanation:
there are different plans from where you are in points or if you're
in the winner's circle. Top-25 in points there's one plan, 25-40
there's another plan. Then, the winner's circle, the car owner's
guaranteed so much money to represent their team at the race
-
The guaranteed finishing position purse for any particular NASCAR
Winston Cup race is distributed as set forth in the official entry
blank for that race. This purse is based on revenues from tracks and
television broadcasts. At most races there are additional awards
based on achievements other than final finishing position. These are
prizes offered by "contingency sponsors," and may include money for
winning from the pole position, leading at the race's halfway point,
being the top finisher to display a particular contingency decal, or
other accomplishments. Some may also be based on media-voted
criteria such as pit strategy, or the "cool move of the race," etc.
Due to these prizes from contingency sponsors and other awards or
bonuses, it is possible for a lower-finishing driver to win more
total prize moneys in a particular event than another competitor
with a better finishing position.
- Why 43 drivers/cars in a race? Where did NASCAR come up with
that number??
Back in the old days of NASCAR, there were some tracks where
there were no limits, such as Darlington (as many as 75) and Daytona
(in the 50's many times). Over the years the size sort of evolved.
It was 40 for the large tracks and 32 for the small tracks in the
late 70's and early 80's. Then if was 42 for large and 36 for the
small/short tracks. The the champion's provisional took itt to 43
and NASCAR made 43 universal at all tracks including thee
small/short tracks, like Bristol.
- How much do drivers get paid?
There is no set answer, it depends on the team, sponsor and the
driver (see above question).
- How does the Winston Cup award points to drivers and owners?
Each driver who competes in a Cup race is awarded points in the
following manner: starting at 175 points, dropping 5 points from
spots 1-6, 4 points from 7-11 and 3 points from 12th and lower. 43rd
is worth 34 points. Bonus points are giving to any driver who leads
a lap and to the driver that leads the most laps is awarded an
additional 5 bonus points(in a case of a tie, both drivers get the
extra points). Owners are awarded points in the same manner, PLUS
they get points for attempting a race, where as drivers do not. All
teams who pass inspection and fail to make the race get owner points
that descend in the order of quickest non-qualifier to the slowest.
Those teams earn the position/points immediately below the last car
in the field. So if a team misses the race but was the fastest non
qualifier the owners would get 31 points and an other drivers would
follow the 3 point drop scale, down to a minimum of 1 point. See
chart
HOW Nextel Busch CUP POINTS ARE AWARDED
NOTE: Driver Leads a Lap (under Green or Yellow Flag) gets 5
Bonus Points
Driver who leads the most laps gets 5 Bonus Points
| Finishing Spot |
Points |
| 1 |
175 |
| 2 |
170 |
| 3 |
165 |
| 4 |
160 |
| 5 |
155 |
| 6 |
150 |
| 7 |
146 |
| 8 |
142 |
| 9 |
138 |
| 10 |
134 |
| 11 |
130 |
| 12 |
127 |
| 13 |
124 |
| 14 |
121 |
| 15 |
118 |
| 16 |
115 |
| 17 |
112 |
| 18 |
109 |
| 19 |
106 |
| 20 |
103 |
| 21 |
100 |
| 22 |
97 |
| 23 |
94 |
| 24 |
91 |
| 25 |
88 |
| 26 |
85 |
| 27 |
82 |
| 28 |
79 |
| 29 |
76 |
| 30 |
73 |
| 31 |
70 |
| 32 |
67 |
| 33 |
64 |
| 34 |
61 |
| 35 |
58 |
| 36 |
55 |
| 37 |
52 |
| 38 |
49 |
| 39 |
46 |
| 40 |
43 |
| 41 |
40 |
| 42 |
37 |
| 43 |
34 |
| 44 |
31 |
| 45 |
28 |
| 46 |
25 |
| 47 |
22 |
| 48 |
19 |
| 49 |
16 |
| 50 |
13 |
| 51 |
10 |
| 52 |
7 |
| 53 |
4 |
| 54 |
1 |
Spots 44 thru 54 are used to award Owners Points
to those teams who do not make a race. After 54, teams get 1
point
- How to break a tie during qualifying?(same speed/time)
When drivers are tied for a starting spot during qualifying, it is
broken by owners points standings(not drivers).
- What makes a race track a short track or a superspeedway?
Pretty simple actually, an oval track of one(1) mile or more is
considered a superspeedway. An oval tracks under a mile in length is
considered a short track. At present there are only three short
tracks, Bristol(.533 mile), Martinsville(.526 mile) and Richmond(.75
mile). Of course Sears Point and Watkins Glen are road courses.
- What is the differences between race trim and qualifying trim
(setup)?
In qualifying trim the teams are not worried too much on how the
car will drive, they are going for the fastest lap they can get. In
race trim/setup the team concentrates on getting the car to handle
as best as possible, trying to get rid of any pushing or loose
conditions. The team wants the car to drive well on long green runs
when the tires get hot and there's a full tank of fuel.
- What is the catch can and what purpose does it serve?
It's a small can with a tube that is inserted into an overflow tube.
There is a check ball system with an inlet and an outlet. The catch
can tube open's that valve to let air out and fuel in when
refueling. When fuel starts coming out into the catch can, you know
the car is full of gas.
- How do you get pit/garage passes?
This is up to the race track, some of them sell these tickets some
do not allow fans onto the pits or in the garage area. Some tracks
only allow tour groups(like fan clubs, etc) in the garage area. The
only other way I know, is to sponsor a WC car. I CANNOT get anyone
garage/pit passes, sorry. NASCAR is cracking down on garage passes
and it is getting harder to get. Remember the teams and drivers have
jobs to do. NASCAR technically owns the garage area at each track
and limits the number of passes each team is allotted for each race.
Pit passes are given out by the track for those needing credentials
for work purposes
- What is the capacity of a Winston Cup fuel cell? How about the
fuel can the gasman uses?
Twenty-Two gallons is the maximum amount of fuel a Cup car can
carry. The gas cans hold 11 gallons
- What is the Valve Train in a car:
a group of engine parts that work together to open and close the
valves, producing energy that ultimately rotates the tires. The
valve train includes the rocker arms, valve springs, push rods and
camshaft follower
- How does air pressure affect the handling of a car?
Changing air pressure effects the spring rate of the tire . The
more air pressure you run in the tire, the stiffer it makes the
tire's sidewall, and that acts like a stiffer spring. If you
decrease air pressure it softens the sidewall and it acts like a
softer spring.
- In case of rain, is the driver who is awarded the pole, via
leading the points, eligible for the Bud Shootout?
No, a driver has to earn the pole through a timed qualifying run
and run the Budweiser contingency decal on his car to be eligible.
All drivers in Cup but Kyle Petty and John Andretti have the sticker
displayed, that is the team owners choice
- What is the difference between a CREW CHIEF and a CAR CHIEF:
The basic difference: the crew chief has the ultimate decision.
He also is more of an organizer. The car chief has a responsibility
of the structuring of the groups of the people who work on the cars
at the racetrack and implements the changes at the track as well as
setting the car up before shipping to the track. This may differ
from team to team
- What is the Chassis Dyno?
The Chassis Dyno measures actual horsepower to the rear axle of
the car. It's like a trailer that the car is placed on, the rear
wheels placed on wheels on the dyno, then the car is run at speed on
the dyno, calculating horsepower
- How come those cars that are almost a lap down get to start in
front of a leader sometimes under yellow?
Driver A was behind the leader when the caution came out(he may have
been in the pits or recently completed a stop). The pace car picks
up the leader, the leader pits. Driver A remains on the track and
passes the leader in pits. Driver A is back on lead lap, but since
Driver A cannot pass the pace car, Driver A is now on the tail end
of lead lap.(7-11-1999)
- Why do teams put tape on the grill of the car for qualifying?
For aerodynamic reasons, it gives the car less drag. The air has no
openings to go through so it goes directly over the car, adding
downforce so it adds a good amount of straightaway
speed(NOL)(7-12-1999)
- How do they calculate track lap speeds?
Use the formula Speed = Distance multiplied by Time. Distance is
Track Length, and Lap Time into Hours. Once hour is 3600 seconds, so
the calculation for a 48 second lap at Daytona(2.5 miles) would be:
Speed = 2.5 x (3600/48), = 2.5 x 75 = 187.500mph. For a 19 second
lap at Bristol(.533 miles): Speed = .533 x (3600/19), = .533 x
189.474 = a speed of 100.990mph(5-12-1999) - now this may not be a
perfect explanation on this but the calculation works and is
correct. A college professor corrected it in the past and gave me
what is now presented, some folks (a few uppity type's) disagree
with it, but all I know is that it is simple and works.
- Who owns the Winston Cup car numbers?
NASCAR owns and assigns car numbers to an owner(s). NASCAR reserves
the right to revoke or transfer car numbers to another owner/team at
any time. Car numbers are non-assignable and non-transferable,
except by NASCAR. NASCAR works with teams and sponsors when a
specific number is requested. If duplication of numbers occur,
usually happens with the part-time teams, the fastest qualifier gets
to use the number. NASCAR does not issue a duplicate number if a
full time team uses it(9-6-1999)
- Has a rookie ever won the Winston Cup championship?
No, the closest was in 1966 when rookie of the year James Hylton was
2nd to David Pearson, he didn't win a race but had 32 top 10's in 41
races (9-27-1999)
- What is the origin of the Checkered Flag?
No one I know has been able to come up with that answer or even much
of a guess(10-1-1999)
But was told this recently: it appears the use of the checkered flag
evolved from the days in France when Men wore checkered vest to
indicate to bicyclist the route to take through the cities during
long races. Eventually the checkered material was put on poles
instead of asking people to stand in the way of racing cyclist. The
idea came to this country through a French man to use the checkered
material to end motor car races. I was able to discount the idea
that the black and white flags were used together to end a race and
they were eventually combined to make a checkered flag because the
white flag is relatively new to racing(@1950). Thanks
Caroleigh(1-22-2000)
- Is regular air or something else used to inflate tires on a Cup
car?
The Cup teams use nitrogen because it's a cleaner air with no
moisture in it. Moisture builds heat, and when compressed air is
used, there is water in the airlines and air systems, and when that
water gets into the tire, it will expand the tire and puts heat into
it, and will eventually cause a tire problem(NOL/Tommy
Baldwin)(10-6-1999)
- How does NASCAR measure the length of a race track?
NASCAR measures its race tracks at a point 15 feet inside the
outside wall
- What is a template?
Templates are the metal-measuring tools that fit each
manufacturer's body and make sure the car meets NASCAR
specifications (USA Today)(3-2-2000)
- How do drivers select which pit stall they use during the race?
Each team selects the pit stall they want based on how the
driver qualified. The driver winning the pole position picks which
stall he prefers first, the second driver selects his next and so
on(7-19-2000)
- Do heavier drivers have a disadvantage over the drivers that
don’t weigh as much?
Each car must weigh a minimum of 3,400 pounds ready to race,
which includes the weight of the gas, oil, water, etc. Weights are
added to cars whose driver weighs less than 200 pounds. Based on a
starting driver weighing 200 pounds, drivers add weights in 10-pound
increments up to a maximum of 50 pounds. For example, a driver
weighing 185 pounds, adds 20 pounds of weigh to the car, and a
driver weighing just 145 pounds adds the maximum 50
pounds(7-19-2000)
- How do drivers choose their qualifying position for a Winston
Cup race?
One hour before the start of the 1st practice for an upcoming
race, a driver or team member chooses a number from a basket that is
spun(like a bingo or lottery type basket) which is located in a
designated area, usually where the rookie meeting is being held. The
order is by owners points, with the team ranking highest choosing
first.
- What happens if at least 43 cars attempt a race but more then
one team is out of provisionals and fails to qualify for the race
with still a spot open in the field?
If one or a few of the teams without provisionals fail to get in
on speed, then the part time teams(don't attempt all races and are
deep in the OWNERS points) get a shot at the provisionals, lining up
by Owners Points. If spots are still available, then the teams
without provisionals get placed in the field by fastest qualifying
speed until all 43 spots are filled.
- What is the maximum number of crew members allowed over the wall
in a pit stop during a Winston Cup Race?
Seven is the maximum allowed unless NASCAR deams that weather
conditions merit an eighth. The crew includes: two tire changers,
two tire carriers, a jackman, a gas man, a catch can man and, if
warranted, an extra man. Each has his specific tasks. Tire changers
replace old tires with new ones beginning with the right side and
proceeding to the left. Tire carriers carry the 75-pound tires to
the car's right side and then remove the old ones. They repeat the
process on the left side. Jackmen carry a 45-pound hydraulic jack to
raise the car's right side. When the tires have been replaced they
repeat the process on the left side. Gas men pour two 11-gallon dump
cans of fuel into the 22-gallon fuel cell of the car. Catch can men
hold the can to collect overflow from the fuel cell. They also
signal jackmen with a hand in the air when refueling is complete.
Extra men are usually allowed over the wall on abnormally hot days
to clean the windshield or service the driver with water.
- What does it mean when a tire is "equalized"?
It is when the inner liner and the outer tire have the same air
pressure. That is caused by the inner having a tear, hole or
something that causes the air to leak out
- The Red Flag? What a team/driver can do to a car during a red
flag
Rule 10-5 of the 2002 NASCAR Winston Cup Series rulebook
preventing any repairs on a car during a red flag: Red Flag - The
red flag means that the race must be stopped immediately regardless
of the position of the cars on the track. The red flag shall be used
if, in the opinion of NASCAR Officials, the race should be stopped.
Cars should be brought to a stop in an area designated by NASCAR
Officials. Repairs or service of any nature or refueling will not be
permitted when the race is halted due to a red flag. All work must
stop on any car in the pits and/or garage area when the red flag is
displayed, unless the car has withdrawn from the Event. Work cannot
be resumed until the red flag is withdrawn (race is
restarted).(2-18-2002)
- How does drafting at Daytona/Talladega work?
Drafting Explanation/Article: In aerodynamically intense
stock-car races like the Daytona 500, the drivers form into
multi-car draft lines to gain extra speed. A driver who does not
enter a draft line (slipstream) will lose. Once in a line, a driver
must attract a drafting partner in order to break out and try to get
further ahead. Thus the effort to win leads to ever-shifting
patterns of cooperation and competition among rivals. This provides
a curious laboratory for several social science theories.
- Terminology:
AIR DAM: The three-to-four inch leading edge below the front bumper
that helps direct air over the race car creating downforce. The air
pushes the front of the car down into the racetrack improving its
grip.
APRON: The very bottom area of the racetrack between the racing
surface and the infield.
BRAKE BIAS: Control knob used to adjust how much braking effort is
carried out between front and rear wheels.
DOWNFORCE: Pressure exerted on the roof and hood of the racecar as
it goes through corners. A car with good downforce uses all the
available air to push on its body to get the car maximum grip on the
racetrack through the corners.
GROOVE: The fastest line a car can take around the racetrack,
usually at its bottom and visible by the blackened pavement and skid
marks created by all the cars using it.
HAPPY HOUR: The last official practice session held before a race,
usually on Saturday, which allows teams to make final adjustments to
setups.
LOOSE: Occurs when a car’s rear tires lose grip with the racetrack.
Loose in is when a driver is off the gas getting into a corner and
the car wants to get sideways. Loose off is when he get on the gas
coming off the corner and the rear tires slide and fishtail.
Opposite of tight.
MARBLES: Debris and excess rubber that get kicked off tires and
collect high on the racetrack above the outside groove. When heated
tires run over this loose stuff, it can cause cars to slide. When
you see a driver wiggling his car down the straightaway, it’s to rid
his tires of the marbles he collected.
SCUFFS: Tires used at least once to take the factory glaze off them,
but still saved for more racing. Scuffing tires for a lap gets them
heated and hardens the compound, keeping them consistent when
they’re put back on for the race.
SETUP: How a car’s engine, suspension, aerodynamics and tires are
adjusted to handle on a particular racetrack.
SPOTTER: Race-team member usually perched atop the grandstand who is
a driver’s second pair of eyes. Talks directly to a driver during
the race to help direct traffic around wrecks, especially when smoke
is involved. Are mainly there for safety, but will also make
suggestions on strategy.
STICKERS: Name given to brand new tires, originating from the
manufacturers stickers usually found on them.
TIGHT: Occurs when a car’s front tires stop gripping and start
sliding up the racetrack as it heads into or out of a corner,
forcing the driver to stay off the gas until it starts to grip
again. Also known as push.
- When did Winston come aboard and what other names has the series
been known as?
It was called Grand National first (No Busch and no sponsor)
from 1950-1970, Winston came aboard in 1971 and it was known as the
Winston Cup Grand National Series from 1971 thru 1985. Since it has
been known as the Winston Cup Series.
- When did the Busch Series start?:
The Busch Series started in 1982 as the Budweiser Late Model
Sportsman Series thru 1983, then is was known as the Busch Late
Model Sportsman series from 1984 thru 1985. In 1986 is bacame known
as the Busch Grand National Series until 2002 and is now just known
as the Busch Series.
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