| Watching a NASCAR race can be one of the most | | | | |
| entertaining and exciting ways to spend a | | | | During pit stops as a race nears completion, |
| Sunday afternoon (or in some cases a Saturday | | | | crew chiefs must constantly decide whether or |
| night). Every race on the Nextel Cup | | | | not to change two or four tires, or add fuel |
| schedule has its share of drama and strategy | | | | only, and whether or not to pit at all. One |
| that provide the fans with an enjoyable, | | | | of the most dramatic events within a NASCAR |
| dramatic experience. | | | | race occurs when a crew chief decides to |
| | | | gamble and not bring his car in to the pits |
| What makes NASCAR worth watching? How about | | | | near the end of the race-thinking the car has |
| the strategy and planning that each race team | | | | enough gas to finish. This strategy often |
| employs in their attempts at victory. | | | | results in victories and probably equally as |
| | | | often results in cars running out of |
| When a caution flag is waved during a race, | | | | gas-unable to finish. |
| the crew chief must decide whether or not to | | | | |
| bring his driver in for a pit stop. If you | | | | Additional important strategic elements in |
| decide to come into the pits and other teams | | | | NASCAR racing are the adjustments made to the |
| follow, well great. If you decide to pit and | | | | car throughout the race. Depending on how a |
| others stay out on the track, then you can | | | | car is handling, a crew chief may decide to |
| fall behind very quickly. You better hope | | | | add or reduce air pressure in the car's |
| that the fresh tires on your car allow you to | | | | tires, based on the feedback the driver is |
| catch up with the guys that didn't come in | | | | giving him. Make the right adjustments and |
| for fresh tires of their own. | | | | your car improves and you're a contender for |
| | | | a victory. Make the wrong adjustments, and |
| A crew chief must evaluate how race tires | | | | you have a miserable day. It has to be very |
| have been performing throughout each race. | | | | frustrating to drive four or five hundred |
| As a race nears completion, a race team may | | | | miles knowing you have no chance to win. |
| decide to put only two fresh tires on their | | | | |
| car. They may even elect to add fuel only | | | | To pit or not to pit? Gas or no gas? Two |
| and not change tires at all. This strategy | | | | tires or four tires, or how about no tires? |
| saves valuable time, and gets a driver back | | | | These are just a few examples of the many |
| out on the track quickly. The gain in track | | | | decisions each race team has to deal with. |
| position can send a driver to victory, or | | | | The strategy involved makes watching a NASCAR |
| send a driver to the back of the pack, | | | | race a fun and entertaining way to spend an |
| surpassed by cars with fresh tires. | | | | afternoon. |