NASCAR Terminology
- AERO PUSH
- When following another vehicle closely, aerodynamics causes the car(s) behind to lose downforce on the front end causing the car to not turn as well through the corners (push).
- AIR PRESSURE
- Another way of changing a car's handling is by increasing or decreasing the amount of air in one or more tires. If a car is "tight," adjusting the air pressure up in the right rear tire may help.
- CAMBER
- The angle at which the tire makes contact with the track.
- DOWNFORCE
- The aerodynamic pressure traveling over the surfaces of a race vehicle creates weight on that area and makes the tires grip better.
- LOOSE
- Also known as "free." A condition of the race car where the back tires have a tendency to slide outwards, causing the back end to want to lose traction and hit the wall.
- MARBLES
- Bits of rubber and other debris which is blown up the racetrack by the wind from the racecars. Causes a car to lose traction if up in the "marbles."
- PUSH
- Also known as "tight." A condition where the front tires of the racecar lose grip while cornering. This causes the car to try to head up into the wall.
- RESTRICTOR PLATE
- An aluminum plate placed between the carburetor and intake manifold with four holes drilled in it, designed to reduce horsepower and speed. Used only on superspeedways.
- ROOF FLAPS
- Sections at the rear of a racecar's roof that flip up if the air pressure flowing across them decreases. Tends to keep the racecar from getting airborne during wrecks.
- SPOILER
- A strip of aluminum across the rear decklid designed to create downforce on the rear of the vehicle.
- TRACK BAR
- This locates the vehicle's rear end housing from left-to-right under it. Another way of adjusting the handling.
- VALANCE
- This is the panel that extends below the vehicle's front bumper. Lowering the valance creates more front downforce.
- WEDGE
- Refers to the relationship from corner-to-corner of the weight of the race vehicle. Yet another way to adjust a car's handling.
- WIND TUNNEL
- Used by race teams to determine the aerodynamic efficiency of their vehicles.
What do the flags mean?
- Green Flag
- Racing has started or restarted.
- White Flag
- One lap to go in the race.
- Checkered Flag
- The race is over!
- Black Flag
- The car this flag is shown to has violated the rules and needs to make a pit stop.
- Blue/Yellow Flag
- Shown to a car that is being lapped telling them to move over for the leaders. Used more at dirt tracks than in Winston Cup.
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