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Article #329: The Strategic Elements Of NASCAR

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






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