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NASCAR - Tracking the Tracks
The tracks may all be oval but that's where the similarities end and NASCAR betting angles begin
To non-race fans, all NASCAR tracks look alike. People see the cars going around the track bumper-to-bumper and door-to-door and think that is the essence of the sport. Nothing could be further from the truth. The fact is, there are four different types of NASCAR tracks, and the only thing they have in common is that they are all oval. Just as all tracks are not created equal, not all drivers are equal from track to track. We will explain how racing differs on the four types of tracks and which drivers excel on each type of track.
Short Tracks
Short tracks range in length from 0.526 to 0.75 miles. There is steep banking in relation to the other types of tracks, with banking ranging
from 12 to 36 degrees. Racing on short tracks is very intense and leaves little room for driver error. Jeff Gordon and Kurt Busch have reputations
as being good drivers on the short tracks.
- Bristol
- Martinsville
- Richmond
Flat Tracks
Flat tracks are the most standard type of oval in terms of shape and distance. Flat tracks range in distance from 1.0 to 2.5 miles. The banking
is very slight at 6.to 14 degrees. Drivers that win on the flat tracks are the aggressive drivers that are able to drive low on the track,
particularly on turns. Tony Steward is regarded as an excellent driver on the flat tracks.
- Indianapolis
- Las Vegas
- New Hampshire
- Phoenix
- Pocono
Intermediate Tracks
Intermediate tracks may just be the most challenging track for NASCAR drivers and crews. It takes a total team effort and a high level of
precision to win on an intermediate track. Intermediate tracks range in distance from 1.0 to 2.0 miles and have banking of 14 to 33 degrees.
Intermediate tracks represent the highest number of NASCAR ovals. The most highly regarded intermediate track drivers are Greg Biffle,
Carl Edwards, Matt Kenseth, Elliott Sadler and Tony Stewart.
- Atlanta
- California
- Chicagoland
- Darlington
- Dover
- Homestead
- Lowe's
- Kansas
- Michigan
- Texas
Restrictor Plate Tracks
Restrictor plate tracks are named after the plates that slow the cars down. These tracks tend to play much faster due to their large size.
The large sweeping turns also contribute to the speed of these tracks. You are missing out if you have never seen a car coming out of a
turn and screaming down the straightaway of a restrictor plate track. These tracks range from 2.50 to 2.66 miles in length, and have
banking of 31 to 33 degrees. The top drivers on restrictor plate tracks are Jeff Gordon, Jimmie Johnson and Tony Stewart.
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