To the NASCAR fans...

[SkinsKY]

Okay, so I watched the Food City 500 on Sunday. It was the first Nascar event that I actually watched. I only saw about half of it, but I have a question that I couldn't resolve. There was a guy (I forget his name) who took a spill early in the race. He was said, by the announcers, to be 52 laps behind the lead lap at the end (if my memory serves me correct), but I think he finished in the mid 20's as far as position. Now, how does that happen. I know he didn't lap the field 52 times, but how do you gain those laps back? I also heard them talking about Jeff Gordon falling two laps behind when he pitted under yellow with the lead late in the race. I assume the same type situation was in play there also. Any clarification would be appreciated.

All in all, I'd have to say the race was enjoyable to watch, not really for the crashes, but I think I liked the half-mile track and with more frequent turns, I think it made for more passes, more pits and such. I don't know if I'll watch regularly, but I'll probably tune in a little more.

[rskinsfan10]

The guy that was 52 laps down probably finished the race 52 or so laps down, but because he was running at the end, and other cars were taken out by crashes or mechanical failure and weren't actually on the track running at the end of the race, that is how he was able to finish in the mid 20s.

I didn't see the race, but 2 laps down is not a big deal at Bristol. If you can keep your nose clean and run strong, those two laps can be made up easily because there are going to be crashes that allow you to catch up, assuming that you can stay in front of the leader and not allow him to run you down and put you further in the hole. They have also implemented what is called the "Lucky Dog", whereas if you are the first car that is a lap down, and a caution comes out, you will be granted that lap and be placed back in the lead lap.

I hope you understood all of that.

[dj_stouty]

Originally Posted by rskinsfan10

The guy that was 52 laps down probablt finished the race 52 or so laps down, but because he was running at the end, and other cars were taken out by crashes or mechanical failure and weren't actually on the track running at the end of the race, that is how he was able to finish in the mid 20s.

I didn't see the race, but 2 laps down is not a big deal at Bristol. If you can keep your nose clean and run strong, those two laps can be made up easily because there are going to be crashes that allow you catch up, assuming that you can stay in front of the leader and not allow him to run you down and put you further in the hole. They have also implemented what is called the "Lucky Dog", whereas if you are the first car that is a lap down, and a caution comes out, you will be granted that lap and be placed back in the lead lap.

I hope you understood all of that.

Perfect explanation~!

Many drivers who wreck and are taken off the track to the garage do everything in their crew's power to make the car runnable. If so, they will attempt to drive the race. As Kenny said...if they can actually finish the race, they get many more points than those who dont. However, NASCAR has a "minimum speed limit" that they have to follow. If they can't keep up with the other cars, they are a danger to the field so they are black flagged and asked to go back to the garage.

[SkinsKY]

Thanks Kenny. Yeah I noticed the "lucky dog" thing, but I didn't know it was a recent addition. The explanation makes sense and I guess I was operating under the assumption (and I'm not sure where I got it) that all racers would finish all required laps in order to considered having finished the race (yeah I don't know that much about Nascar). So position is just where you are when the winner finishes even if you have not completed the required number of laps? If I'm missing anything else, help me out.

[rskinsfan10]

Originally Posted by SkinsKY

Thanks Kenny. Yeah I noticed the "lucky dog" thing, but I didn't know it was a recent addition. The explanation makes sense and I guess I was operating under the assumption (and I'm not sure where I got it) that all racers would finish all required laps in order to considered having finished the race (yeah I don't know that much about Nascar). So position is just where you are when the winner finishes even if you have not completed the required number of laps? If I'm missing anything else, help me out.

That's pretty much it. As dj stated, you want to finish the race regardless of the condition of your car because each lap run helps accumulate points, which equal money at the end of the season according to where you finish in the standings.

[SkinsKY]

Thanks again. I'm gonna try and tune in to the AAP 500 this weekend.

[bfauble83]

Originally Posted by SkinsKY

Thanks again. I'm gonna try and tune in to the AAP 500 this weekend.

Since you said you didn't know much about NASCAR, i just thought I'd let you know that this weeks race is at Martinsville, which is also a 0.5 mile track..except there is virtually no banking at Martinsville. Its like a big paperclip.


Reguarding the lucky dog, its new, before the lucky dog rule was put into effect drivers were allowed to race back to the caution and the leader could allow other cars to get laps back by allowing them to pass before they took the yellow flag. I personally don't like the lucky dog, I believe that you should have to earn your way back onto the lead lap. Just my opinion though.

[dj_stouty]

Originally Posted by bfauble83

Since you said you didn't know much about NASCAR, i just thought I'd let you know that this weeks race is at Martinsville, which is also a 0.5 mile track..except there is virtually no banking at Martinsville. Its like a big paperclip.


Reguarding the lucky dog, its new, before the lucky dog rule was put into effect drivers were allowed to race back to the caution and the leader could allow other cars to get laps back by allowing them to pass before they took the yellow flag. I personally don't like the lucky dog, I believe that you should have to earn your way back onto the lead lap. Just my opinion though.

The lucky dog was created so fans of drivers who get down a lap could still have hope that their favorite driver still has a chance to compete.

[redskin_rich]

Originally Posted by dj_stouty

The lucky dog was created so fans of drivers who get down a lap could still have hope that their favorite driver still has a chance to compete.

It was also for safety. There is nothing like trying to get out of a burning car while cars are racing by going 170 mph to try and get a lap back.

[bfauble83]

The only reason the lucky dog rule was created was so that they could freeze the field during cautions.

[SkinsKY]

Originally Posted by bfauble83

Since you said you didn't know much about NASCAR, i just thought I'd let you know that this weeks race is at Martinsville, which is also a 0.5 mile track..except there is virtually no banking at Martinsville. Its like a big paperclip.

Yeah, I've been reading the Yahoo race preview in the fantasy league and learning as I go along. Outside of last Sunday, my only other Nascar experiences include driving by Lowes Motor Speedway on a work trip (the thing is huge!) and playing EA's Chase for the Cup 2005.

I should learn more as my lady's Uncle drives Stock cars on a circuit that's mainly regional to NW Pennsylvania and NE Ohio and such. He's relatively good for that level. He almost won the regional circuit there and finished second I believe. Next time I'm up there, I'm going to try and catch a race.

[Jimreaper007]

I have been reading that as well and it has only made me more clueless...

but I am still in 5th place (a lot higher than I deserve).