Nascar- How do cars pass each other if all are going top speed?

[JulesMaximus]

The majority of IROC was raced on ovals, the last one was on the infield course at daytona IIRC. The 2 types of racing (oval vs road) are very different. Take NASCAR drivers and put them into an open wheel indy car, and let's see what happens.

I'm not saying that NASCAR drivers are worse than open wheel or the other way around. I'm saying that if you race on ovals you will tend to win on ovals. Race on street, you will tend to win on street. Both are where your skill is.

I watched some of those races. The attendance was almost nil at most of the venues and you're right, they were mostly ovals. They must have been losing money by the truckload.

 

[EagleKeeper]

Go back to the old dirt tracks that the great moonshiners trained on.

Up/down hills and curves that are 120-180 both ways.

That is vehicle racing and quality driving. Boring holes in a asphalt track is not.

GrandPrix is much better skill set.

 

[JEDI]

Go back to the old dirt tracks that the great moonshiners trained on.

Up/down hills and curves that are 120-180 both ways.

That is vehicle racing and quality driving. Boring holes in a asphalt track is not.

GrandPrix is much better skill set.

love grandprix races on real city streets.
detroit can revitalize itself by having a mega grandprix since 1/2 the city is abandoned. just make sure the race car is bullet proof

 

[The Boston Dangler]

assuming drivers are expert level and the cars are equivalent or comparable, overtaking on superspeedways is dominated by the draft, followed by corner exit speed and mid-corner speed. on road courses these are in addition to car positioning/racing line and late braking.

i'll watch any motorsport but nascar.

 

[halik]

This. Same demographic. Simple minded are easily fooled.

 

[M0oG0oGaiPan]

the turns might look the same but they're all probably different. maybe slightly different apex because of a difference in banking or crosswinds. if there's a lot of shadows in a turn it might be harder to pick out the right line. pavement might be uneven. if it's a road racing there's line, traction. some turns are going to be better if you trail brake. some others you take slow to hit your next turn. if you google a hot lap for a track, you'll see some of the different lines people recommend and probably reference points.

 

[nerp]

I've never found driving in circles interesting. However, I've ALWAYS found it highly amusing that these "NASCAR" and other sanctioning bodies cars' have decal headlights and door handles to make them look like the production car they are modeled after. They have tube frames, fiberglass bodies, etc...they are nowhere near a production car.

Here's my idea on how to make NASCAR truly FAIR, based soley on driver "skill". Take 30 stock Camaros, Mustangs, whatever and put slicks on them. All drivers pick a number out of a hat and that's which car they get. I'm talking totally stock. AC/Radio/Power seats/Airbags, etc. NOW show me you know how to drive, Bubba. I don't want to hear anything about "safety." You got'cher Airbag and your Seatbelt. There is nothing safe about driving 190+MPH in a traffic jam, in a circle, for hours on end. Let's make it interesting. Leave the glass in the windows and the Bluetooth radio activated. C'mon Bubba, drive that thang!!!

That is what NASCAR used to be. That is why you could buy a Charger Daytona or Plymouth RoadRunner with the huge spoiler on the back in the late 60s — it was the same car they were winning races with on the track.

I admit, I'd watch NASCAR if that were the case.

 

[ultimatebob]

That is what NASCAR used to be. That is why you could buy a Charger Daytona or Plymouth RoadRunner with the huge spoiler on the back in the late 60s — it was the same car they were winning races with on the track.

I admit, I'd watch NASCAR if that were the case.

Yeah... that would be pretty cool until drivers and people watching the race started getting killed.

What am I talking about... a few fatalities would probably improve the ratings 🙂

 

[natto fire]

love grandprix races on real city streets.
detroit can revitalize itself by having a mega grandprix since 1/2 the city is abandoned. just make sure the race car is bullet proof

They would also need heavy duty suspension/tires/wheels to handle all the crater potholes, but you might be on to something. 😛

 

[Tom]

If any of you have never been to a live Nascar race, or NHRA nationals event, you should check it out sometime.

You might want to wear a Depends though, the real thing is nothing like tv.

 

[JulesMaximus]

If any of you have never been to a live Nascar race, or NHRA nationals event, you should check it out sometime.

You might want to wear a Depends though, the real thing is nothing like tv.

I was at the Fontana track for the inaugural CART race there in the late 90s. The AVERAGE lap speed was over 240mph. Nascar doesn't get anywhere near that speed, they're just loud. I guess that's to keep the spectators from falling asleep.

If you want a sleep aide though put a nascar race on the TV. Better than valium.

love grandprix races on real city streets.
detroit can revitalize itself by having a mega grandprix since 1/2 the city is abandoned. just make sure the race car is bullet proof

Detroit was a venue of the FIA Formula One Grand Prix from 1982-1988.

 

[sgrinavi]

I'm not a NASCAR fan by any stretch, but it takes tons of skill, nerve and strength to run a car at those speeds in those conditions for 500 miles. It's hot, noisy and rough. Not to mention your ass starts to hurt after about 20 minutes.

Assuming your car & your pit crews are equal, you've picked the right tires and suspension setup for that day's conditions then the more experienced guy with the greater endurance is going to pass the others.

I would venture to guess that 90% of the comments in this thread are coming from people that have never been on a real track for any length of time.

iRacing doesn't count.

 

[LTC8K6]

If it were just the draft, you wouldn't actually be able to stay in front and pull away.

You need a faster car to get in front and stay in front of another car.

 

[Ferzerp]

Or an equal car and better driving.