I know these are stupid questions, but I would like to hear some answers from the members here. (I know some of you are big time racing fans)

I have been getting much more interested in NASCAR over the last couple of years.

What I saw last weekend was strange. A racer deliberately taking second place? Never made a move to take the lead? I know it has to do with points.

How does the point system work in the Winston Cup Series races, and how many races are there?

What exactly is a “restrictor plate” race, and how many are there? I know it is some sort of device to even the field. (Forcing all cars to have similar top end speeds so the driver’s skills are more obvious) but what exactly is it?

What popular non-restrictor plate races are currently being run?

Thanks
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10-09-02, 10:01 AM
teeceeum
The non-pass
In restrictor plate races a driver usually can't make a pass without someone else's "help" with the draft. By finishing 2nd, Tony Stewart assumed the championship points lead. I'm sure that he noticed (as I did) that no one seemed willing to pull out with him to help him draft past the leader.

The points
A driver can earn a maximum of 185 points in a race: 175 points for winning; 5 points for leading a lap; 5 points for leading the most laps. In effect, the fewest points the winner can earn is 180 (175 for winning, 5 for leading a lap). The least number of points a driver can earn is 34 providing the driver takes the green flag to start the race. If, in the last race of the season, the points leader has a 35 point lead, all he must do is start the race to win the championship. He doesn't even have to complete the first lap, just take the green flag.

Restrictor plates
Restrictor plates aren't really NASCAR's answer to the NFL's salary cap. They were instituted when cars began averaging more than 210 MPH laps at Talladega and Daytona. These high speeds coupled with two or three spectacular aerial crashes in front of the grandstands prompted NASCAR to institute restrictor plates to slow the cars for safety reasons. You may or may not be aware that several fans have been injured and killed by debris flying over the catch fencing into the crowd.

The restrictor plate is a flat, machined piece of aluminum placed between the carburetor and the intake manifold. It has for holes corresponding to the venturi outlets of the carburetor. Without the plate the fuel goes directly into the plenum of the manifold from the carburetor through 4 openings, each about 1.5 or so inches in diameter. The plate effectively reduces these openings to 7/8" (I think; the size was changed last year). Horsepower is reduced by about 150-200 and top speed is also reduced.

Calculations have concluded that current Winston Cup cars without restrictors would average about 230 MPH fro a lap around Talladega. The drivers hate restrictor plates.

Restrictor plates are currently used at only Daytona and Talladega, the two high-banked super speedways. For me, the plates have made races at thes two tracks extremely boring. For the driver it has become extremely dangerous. I would rather see NASCAR modify the aero and tire packages for these tracks. That would slow the cars, allow a margin of error for the driver, and return real racing featuring real driving skills.

My plan ain't likely to happen.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: DorianGreyed,