Aero Push: When a car pulls closely into another car's air stream causing a pushing or understeer effect.
Aerodynamics: The way air flows over, under and around the car. The aerodynamics of the car also includes the wake of air turbulence that is created behind the car. Air flowing below the car creates especially bad drag. Aerodynamics are especially important at superspeedways like Daytona and Talladega.
Air dam: The metal strip affixed beneath the grill that helps create downforce on the front of the car. The air dam blocks the air as it hits the front of the car and prevents too much air from flowing under the car.
Apex: The point on the inside of a turn where a race car makes the transition from entering to exiting the turn. Drivers try to "hit" the apex in order to go the straightest line around a track and maintain maximum speed.
Apron: The bottom paved flat part of the racetrack that separates the infield from the banked racing surface.
Back Out: When a driver lifts his foot off the gas pedal.
Backstretch: The straight part of the track that is opposite the starting line.
Backup Car: A complete and set up second car brought to the race by each team. The backup car may not be unloaded at any time during all NASCAR national series practices or pre-race activities, unless the primary car is damaged beyond repair. Backup cars must also meet all NASCAR standards. Any team reverting to a backup car after qualifying has to start at the back of the field.
Balanced: Perfect grip on both the front and rear tires. Not loose or pushing.
Ballast: Weight that is added to the car, usually in the frame, to help meet NASCAR's weight specifications.
Banking: The sloping part of a racetrack's surface, measured in degrees from horizontal. The higher degree of banking, the faster the cars can run because they do not have to slow down as much to get through the turns.
Battling for Position: When two cars are racing each other to establish position within the race. For example, Jeff may be racing neck and neck with another driver to see which one will be in first place and which one will be in second.
Bite: The amount of traction that is being experienced by the back wheels of the car. More bite can be given to a car by adding weight or wedge.
Black Flagged (Black Flag): This is the dreaded flag that no driver wants to see. It means "go to your pit, get off the racetrack, you've done something wrong." Often it means a driver is dumping fluids on the track making it dangerous, or was speeding on pit row.
Blend Line: The painted line on the track near the apron and extending from the pit road exit into the first turn. When leaving the pits a driver must stay below the line to safely blend back into traffic.
Blister: Excessive heat during a race can make a tire "bubble up". The resulting vibrations can hamper performance and risk damage to the car.
Blocking: Making the back end of your car as wide as possible to prevent another driver from passing. This frequently will be seen when two drivers are battling for position.
Blue Flag with Yellow Stripe: Signals a slower driver to move over on the track and let the leaders proceed. This usually occurs near the end of a race when the slower car is many laps behind.
Bobble: The car gets a little loose and the driver corrects, the car wiggles back and forth. Something like a fishtail.
Brake Duct: Openings in the body panel and other locations of a stock car that take in air to help kept the brake system cool. Cooling the brakes helps to prevent brake fade.
Brake Fade: Reduced brake performance - when brakes can no longer stop the car effectively. Caused when brake pads, rotors and fluid exceed their operating temperatures.
Bubble: The slowest position in qualifying that can make the filed based on that time. The driver can be "knocked off the bubble," meaning bumped out of the field, if other cars have faster laps. It is especially dangerous for teams who cannot rely on a provisional starting spot.
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