As with any professional sport, NASCAR racing has a language all its own. Below is a list of common racing terms and definitions that you will hear used in and around the racetrack and by television announcers on race day.
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Refers to the way air flows over the surfaces of a race car, over and under the body or through the engine and radiator. It also includes the wake of turbulent air left behind a car as it travels.
An extension on the front bumper that blocks air as it hits the front of the car. It keeps too much of the air from flowing under the vehicle and reducing its speed. It plays a big role in the aerodynamics of a car, keeping the front end stable.
The paved portion of the racetrack that separates the racing surface from the (usually unpaved) infield. It is usually flat in comparison to the racing surface. If a car has a problem, the driver goes there to get out of the way.
Automobile Racing Club of America. The organization that governs and makes rules for ARCA racing. Many of ARCA's stock cars are hand-me-downs from NASCAR's Sprint Cup and many ARCA drivers go on to race in the Sprint Cup.
Associate sponsors are companies that sponsor racing teams. They pay less money and, in turn, get less exposure on the car or the uniform than the primary sponsors do.
The section of the track located on the opposite side of the track of the start/finish line. On an oval track, it is between the second and third turns.
The angle of a racetrack’s racing surface.
See Wedge.
A driver positions his car to keep the driver behind him from passing.
Racing slang for when a driver won't finish the race because his engine has failed beyond immediate repair.
A driver who is sitting "on the bubble" is the slowest driver of the top 25 during first-round qualifying. The driver can be knocked off the bubble, meaning bumped out of the field until second-round qualifying.
A non-points race in the Sprint Cup Series held at Daytona during Speedweeks each year featuring the pole winners from the previous season and past Budweiser Shootout winners.
Refers to a type of drafting (see Drafting) where two cars are in a draft and the trailing car "bumps" the rear end of the lead car accelerating both cars forward. This is accepted practice in the straightaways but can lead to accidents when performed in the corners.
A Cup driver who races in a Busch Series event.
The amount that a tire is tilted from vertical so the tire can touch more of the racing surface.
A thin metal plate with four holes that restricts the flow of air into and engine’s carburetor, thus reducing horsepower and speed. It is used to slow down the race cars at the superspeedways, Daytona and Talladega.
The catch can man stands behind the car on the left side and holds a special container at the end of the car to collect gas that overflows from the gas tank during refueling.
The acknowledged center of the stock car racing world.
When a driver slows down (gets off the throttle and/or on the breaks) because of a sudden slowing of traffic ahead.
A safety valve that prevents fuel spills if the car turns over.
A Cup driver who races in a Nationwide Series event. Formerly Buschwhacker.
Air that does not have turbulence from other race cars. When a driver comments that his car runs better in clean air, he means his car performs better out front.
A formula that evaluates driver performance in the NASCAR Weekly Racing Series, including average finish, number of wins, driver attendance, and the average number of cars in the field.
Bonus money given by companies whose products a driver uses or whose decals a driver runs on his car.
On January 11 2006, NASCAR announced a universal car named the "Car of Tomorrow" (COT) after a seven-year design program sparked mainly by the death of Dale Earnhardt. The primary design considerations were safety innovations, performance and competition, and cost efficiency for teams. The COT saw a limited 16 race schedule in 2007. Beginning in 2008, the "Car of Tomorrow" became the "Car of Today" and will race the entire race schedule.
The leader of the race team who oversees employees and handles the building and fine-tuning of a race car. He is responsible for deciding which changes to make to the race car throughout the race weekend and what race strategies to use on race day.
The rear trunk lid.
The turbulence created in the air flow behind a race car. This occurs a little further back behind the car than the vacuum created during drafting.
The size of an engine measured in cubic inches. A NASCAR Sprint Cup Series car’s engine cannot be larger than 358 cubic inches.
The black circles left on the sheet metal side of a car when another car's tire rubs up against it during a race.
Did not finish.
Did not qualify.
Did not start.
The air pressure and downward force that pushes a car onto the track, causing it to stick on the racing surface. It keeps cars from losing traction at high speeds, especially going through the turns.
Drivers race in single file and share air flow among them. Cars cut through the air much faster together than they do separately. The first car creates a vacuum that actually pulls the car behind it.
The aerodynamic force of resistance that hinders a race car as it moves through air. It is caused by air flowing beneath the car and lifting it higher in the air, as well as air flowing through the cooling system, ducts in the body, friction between a car’s body, and open windows. Air travels into these openings instead of smoothly sliding over the car. With less drag, a car can accelerate faster, especially at higher speeds, because the car needs less horsepower to move forward through the air.
Waiving the green flag to start or restart the race.
Team member who puts sheet metal on the car’s frame and molds it to the shape of the car, creating the body or outside shell of the car.
Refers to the entire group of cars on the racetrack.
Five belts that come together at the center of a driver’s chest. Each of the belts passes through a steel guide that is welded onto the car’s frame. One belt goes over the driver’s left shoulder, one goes over his right shoulder, another comes from the left side of the seat, one comes from the right side of the seat, and another goes between the driver’s legs. They are all latched together at a single point, where a quick-release buckle locks them into place.
The NASCAR official who is positioned over the racetrack, just above the start/finish line. The flagman signals to the drivers by waving different-colored flags that mean different things.
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Green - Start Go, the race has started or restarted. |
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Blue/Yellow Stripe - Move Over A car must yield to a passing car. |
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Yellow - Caution Caution, all drivers must slow down and maintain their position. They are not allowed to pass. |
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Yellow/Two Vertical Red Slashes - Oil On Track Signals an unsafe surface condition. |
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Black - Pull Into Pits The driver at whom this flag is waved must get off the track. |
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Red - Stop All drivers must stop. For example, for a rain delay. During a red flag period no repairs or maintenance of any kind may be performed on the race cars. |
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White - Entering Last Lap The lead car has one lap to go. |
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Checkered - The Race Is Finished The winning car has crossed the finish line. |
The free pass rule, also known as the "Lucky Dog" rule, states that when a caution flag flies, the first driver who is one or more laps down gets a lap back.
NASCAR implemented this rule in late 2003 as a safety measure to prevent drivers from racing back to the yellow (the start finish-line) to allow safety vehicles quicker and safer access to the incident.
Until then, drivers were allowed to race back to the yellow because the caution period did not formally begin until the leader crossed the start-finish line. Often, a driver with a big lead would slow his car on the way to the line to allow lapped cars to make up a lap. This was known as the “Gentleman’s Agreement.” To compensate for the elimination of this tactic, NASCAR implemented the free pass rule which immediately became known as the "Lucky Dog" rule.
The rule further states that if the driver who is designated to receive the "Lucky Dog" brings out the yellow, then that driver does not get a lap back nor does anyone else.
The straight section of the racetrack between the first and last turns.
The gas tank on the race car.
A quick pit stop where a car gets only gas.
The pit crew member who steps over the pit wall carrying a 90-pound, 11-gallon can of gas, and then fills the gas tank. When the first can empties, he usually gets a second can from the second gas man (who doesn’t go over the wall), and fills the tank with that gas as well.
Racing slang that means a driver has lost the draft and is losing positions by the split second. To remedy the situation, the driver must get back in line with other cars where the aerodynamics are much more favorable to going fast.
A car is too damaged to be fixed on pit road, so the team brings it to the garage.
Sizing sheet metal, cutting sheet metal, and then molding it onto a car’s frame to form the shell of a car.
The final hour of practice before an event, usually held in the late afternoon the day before the race.
When a race winner puts on dozens of baseball caps with sponsors logos on them in Victory Lane. Each time a driver puts a cap on, the photographers snap photos to send or sell to the sponsor involved.
Every team has an eighteen-wheeler truck, referred to as the hauler, that transports their race cars to the track. Teams use the hauler as a meeting place on race weekends. Read more...
Protection built into a driver’s seat to keep his head from moving to the left or right during an accident.
Racing slang for the visual marks a driver makes at a track to help him know when to accelerate, let off the gas, or pass. Each driver has specific things they use for marks, such as the flag stand or a certain marking on a portion of the wall. Also referred to as "hitting your points."
The enclosed area in the middle of the racetrack where team garages are located. During race weekends, this area is usually filled with large transporters, merchandise trailers, and driver and fan motorhomes.
The shortest distance around the track which, on a oval track, is usually separated from the infield by the apron. On road courses, it is the line closest to the curbs or walls forming the inner portion of turns.
The process NASCAR officials go through to approve cars to race, qualify, and practice.
racetracks more than one mile long, excluding superspeedways.
The pit crew member who positions the jack under a specific spot on each side of the car, pumps the handle of the jack one or two times so that it lifts the car off the ground enough for the tire changers to change the tires, and then drops the jack and lowers the car.
One time around a racetrack. Also refers to when a driver passes a car and is a full lap ahead of that opponent. The driver is then said to have "lapped" that opponent. A driver "laps the field" by lapping every other car in the race.
Cars that are not on the lead lap. Many times, these cars are considerably slower than the leaders.
The race leader's lap. If the leader laps a driver, that driver is no longer on the lead lap. See On The Lead Lap.
When a driver goes through a turn and the rear of his car starts to fishtail, making the driver feel as if he is losing control of the car and about to spin out. The rear tires are not sticking well to the track and providing enough traction. This is also called "Oversteer".
When it starts to rain heavy enough, the track becomes slick causing the tires on the race car to lose traction. When this happens the officials will stop the race. This is known as "losing the track."
Debris such as sand, pebbles, or small pieces of rubber that tend to collect on a tracks apron or near the outside wall. They are often blamed by drivers for causing them to lose control.
Period in NASCAR history that began in 1972.
Organization that provides religious services, daycare for team members' children, and organizes events for drivers and their families at the track.
National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing. The organization that governs and makes rules for NASCAR racing.
After 26 years (1982-2007) Anheuser-Busch’s sponsorship of NASCAR's No. 2 racing series came to an end. Nationwide replaced Anheuser-Busch as title sponsor at the beginning of the 2008 season. NASCAR and Nationwide have a seven-year agreement which also includes the insurance company being the official auto, home and life insurance provider of NASCAR. See NASCAR Nationwide Series.
The NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series is the newest NASCAR series, featuring souped-up pickup trucks.
NASCAR's No. 2 racing series, where many drivers begin their professional racing careers. Drivers train themselves and hone their driving skills before moving up to NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. Some drivers stay in this league because there is less pressure to perform. Formerly known as the NASCAR Busch Series.
NASCAR's Sprint Cup Series version of the all-star game. Only past champions and winning drivers are invited to the Sprint All-Star Challenge. It is one of the richest and most prestigious races each season. There are no points on the line, and the winner's purse is more than $500,000. Formerly known as the The Winston, R.J. Reynolds and its Winston brand ended its 33 year long sponsorship at the end of 2003. Nextel Communications took over title sponsorship for this series beginning in 2004 and beginning in 2008 Sprint assumed title sponsorship.
The NASCAR Nextel Cup Series was NASCAR’s top series from 2004 to 2007. Formerly known as the NASCAR Winston Cup Series, R.J. Reynolds and its Winston brand ended its 33 year long sponsorship at the end of 2003. Nextel Communications took over title sponsorship for this series beginning in 2004. See NASCAR Sprint Cup Series.
The NASCAR Sprint Cup Series is NASCAR's top series, featuring premiere drivers. Formerly know as the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series, Sprint replaced Nextel as title sponsor of NASCAR's premiere racing series at the beginning of the 2008 season. This marked the third name since 2003 for NASCAR’s Cup Series. From 1972-2003, the Cup Series was sponsored by R.J. Reynolds tobacco through its Winston cigarette brand. Then, starting in 2004, Nextel assumed naming rights. Sprint and Nextel agreed to a $36 billion merger in December 2004.
The NASCAR Winston Cup Series was NASCAR’s top series from 1971 to 2003, featuring premiere drivers. See NASCAR Nextel Cup Series.
A racetrack with just a single path around it where cars stick to the track and handle well. If a driver gets out of that path, he could be on a portion of the track where there is not enough grip to keep his car stable and he could end up in the wall. Some tracks have more than one groove, a high groove and a low groove, meaning cars can run side-by-side or two-wide around the track. Some tracks have no grooves because cars race easily on any part of the track.
A driver has completed the same number of laps as the leader.
See loose.
The seven crew members who jump over the pit wall to service a car when it pulls onto pit road.
The owner of the entire team. He or she has a financial stake in the race team, and therefore has final say in hiring everyone who works on the team, from the driver to the crew chief to everyone who prepares the cars for racing. The owner must also secure a sponsor to help pay the bills.
The way a car is painted and decorated.
The part of the rear suspension that is attached to the frame on one side and to the rear axle on the other. It keeps the car’s rear tires centered within the car’s body. Also called the "Track Bar".
Pit areas, delineated with yellow lines, for the cars in the race to use during pit stops.
A maximum of seven people who are allowed to go over the pit wall and service a car during a pit stop.
A separate road inside a racetrack that usually runs parallel to a track’s frontstretch. It is where cars go when they need gas, tires, or repairs.
Where teams watch the race and keep their equipment. It is separated from the pit box by the pit wall.
When a car pulls off the racetrack and travels down pit road where his crew services his car.
The cement wall separating the pit box from the pit stalls.
An estimate of when the crew thinks the driver will need to make a pit stop to refuel.
The driver who records the fastest lap during qualifying and gets rewarded by starting the race from the inside of the two-car front row. The outside pole winner is the driver who had the second-fastest lap during qualifying. He starts the race from the outside of the front row.
Companies that pay large sums of money to put their names on the car hoods, which is the best place to advertise because fans see them so well.
Guaranteed spot in a race, given to drivers who qualify poorly during the weekend and who are high enough in points.
A scary moment on the race track for a driver would have a "high pucker value."
See Tight.
Drivers must qualify to participate in a race. This means they must complete one or two full-speed laps around the track and meet established lap times. This weeds out slower or unprepared teams that won't be able to get up to speed on race day. In NASCAR Sprint Cup Series racing, qualifying is normally held on the Friday before Sunday's race.
Metal blade that runs the width of the car atop the back of its trunk. It regulates air as it flows over a car and helps push the back end of the car into the track, which gives the car more traction and better handling.
A driver who replaces the original driver due to injury or illness.
See Carburetor Restrictor Plate.
A car is said to be great "right off the truck" when it runs well in the first practice without any major tweaking.
Racetracks with complex configurations of left and right turns at varying angles. The track may have elevation changes as well. Sears Point Raceway and Watkins Glen International are the only two NASCAR road courses.
The part of the car’s frame that protects the driver because it is made of strong tubing with a minimum thickness like a tubular cage.
The protective frame of steel surrounding a driver. It keeps the driver safe during an accident because it protects him from the impact of another car or of a wall if the car flips over. The roll cage consists of roll bars, which are made from steel tubing.
Rectangular pieces of metal attached to the roof of a car that are designed to lie flat when the car is moving forward, but pop into the air when a car spins backwards or sideways, helping keep a car from becoming airborne.
Putting rounds of wedge into a car means a crew member is adjusting the handling by changing the pressure on the rear springs. See also Wedge.
A piece of rubber that is placed between the coils of a spring to increase tension and taken out to decrease tension. This changes how a car handles.
When drivers presses the accelerator all the way to the floor (pedal to the metal).
A tire within a tire. Both are inflated and have a separate valve stem. In the event of a blow out or flat tire (typically the outer tire) the inner tire provides the ability for the driver to make it safely to the pit. These tires are generally not used on the two short tracks because of the lower speeds attained and the closeness of the pits.
A driver takes it easy through the turns and doesn’t run the car too hard, so his tires don’t wear out too early.
Walkman-sized instruments that pick up radio waves in the immediate area. They allow you to listen in on conversations between drivers and their crews during practice, qualifying, and races.
Tires that have been on the car during practice, used for only one or two laps.
The way a car is prepared for qualifying and a race, including the suspension package, weight distribution, and engine tuning.
Racetracks shorter than one mile in length, where aerodynamics and horsepower are not particularly important in winning the race. Bristol Motor Speedway, Martinsville Speedway, and Richmond International Raceway are the three NASCAR short tracks.
Former real race car that has been taken out of rotation for being too old, suffering irreparable damage, or just not being suited to the driver. It is used for public display and promotions.
A time during the season when rumors start escalating about which team certain drivers will go with for the following season. This usually starts about halfway through the season.
The companies that pay for the right to have their names on cars and team uniforms.
Team member who watches a race from on top of the grandstands or press box. His job is to be the driver’s second set of eyes, telling the driver where to go on the racetrack to avoid an accident or when to pass another car.
Standing on time means a driver is not going to participate in second-round qualifying. Instead, the driver hopes the time that he recorded during the first-round qualifying will be fast enough to make the field.
New tires that still have the manufacturer’s sticker on them.
When a driver must come down pit road, stop in his pit box for a moment, and then drive down pit road to the racetrack.
An oval track that is two and a half miles long where NASCAR requires cars to use a carburetor restrictor plate.
The system of springs, shock absorbers, sway bars, etc. directly connected to the wheels or the axles, that affects the handling of a race car.
Parts that alter the amount a car rolls to one side or the other through the turns.
A crew member places tape over the grill of the car in order to keep air from entering the radiator and slowing the car down. This is done only during qualifying.
The place where the team hangs out when they are not working on their car. It is a large semi truck that is a team’s base during a race weekend. It is a place to eat and hold meetings at the racetrack. Read more...
When cars are torn down, teams take apart their engines, but tear downs also can include whatever NASCAR officials want. The winning team goes through a thorough tear down, meaning it will take apart the engine, the suspension, the power train, or whatever else officials want to check out.
NASCAR slang for technical inspection.
A series of sensors attached to various parts of the car. These sensors transmit information such a miles per gallon, revolutions per second, and transmission gear selection to a remote computer. It is illegal for teams to use during official NASCAR events.
Individual pieces of metal that conform to the body of a car. They are blueprints of each car make, used to ensure that cars conform to NASCAR specifications.
When the front tires don’t turn well through the turns because they are losing traction before the rear tires. When a car is tight, it also means it is "pushing" and if a driver isn’t careful, he will end up into the wall.
Pit crew member who hands the tires to the tire changers and takes the used tires away.
Pit crew members who changes tires. One changes the front tires and another changes the rear tires.
Team member who changes the air pressure, measures the wear, and monitors the temperature of the tires that teams use during practice, qualifying, and races.
See Panhard Bar.
When drivers show aggressive driving toward one another with lots of bumping and banging. Putting one car's paint on another from close racing.
A transmitter that teams affix to the bottom of their cars to monitor lap times around the track.
A modified oval racetrack with an extra turn to it instead of just four turns. Usually that turn is located mid-way down the frontstretch.
See Tight.
A roped-off or fenced-in area located in the infield where drivers, crews, owners, sponsors, and families celebrate a victory.
The amount of weight on the left rear and right front corners of the car. Increasing the weight on any corner of the vehicle affects the weight of the other three corners in direct proportion. Weight adjustments are made by turning "weight jacking screws" mounted on each corner with a ratchet. A typical adjustment for a "loose" car would be to increase the weight of the left rear corner of the vehicle, which decreases the weight of the left front and right rear corners and increases the weight of the right front. A typical adjustment for a "tight" vehicle would be to increase the weight of the right rear corner, which decreases the weight of the right front and left rear and increases the weight of the left front.
NASCAR's Winston Cup Series version of the all-star game from 1971 to 2003. R.J. Reynolds and its Winston brand ended its 33 year long sponsorship at the end of 2003. See the NASCAR Nextel All-Star Challenge.
A car that is filled with the maximum amounts of fuel, oil, and water.
Screens made of nylon mesh material that cover the driver's side window. They keep the driver's arms and head in the car in the event of an accident.