The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR) is the sanctioning body for one of North America’s premier sports. In the US, NASCAR is the number one spectator sport. NASCAR races are broadcast in more than 150 countries and in 20 languages.
There are three NASCAR national series:
- The NASCAR Sprint Cup Series
- NASCAR Nationwide Series
- NASCAR Camping World Truck Series
There are also four regional series, and one local grassroots series, as well as two international series. Also part of NASCAR is Grand-Am Road Racing, known for its competition on road courses with multiple classes of cars.
A NASCAR race is like a 200-mile-per-hour game of chess, with each driver formulating strategies to win the race. Winning a NASCAR race is a combination of speed and smarts. The fastest car doesn’t always necessarily win the race, as it’s the driver that manages his equipment the best and knows how to balance the capabilities of its car with the conditions of the race.
There are a number of points that drivers use to race:
TYRES
Tires must be changed periodically throughout the race as they wear down. Sometimes, the crew may only change two tyres.
FUEL
At any given moment, a crew chief must calculate fuel mileage and decide when to enter the pits for fuel.
CAR ADJUSTMENTS
Conditions of the racing surface may change during the course of the event, making it necessary to make adjustments to the car. Wind, temperature and other factors all play a part.
