Racing Defined

E

Earnhardt: Dale Earnhardt was the driver that bridged the older generation drivers with the newer generation drivers, and he was the one that made the NASCAR of today. He died on the last lap of the 2001 Daytona 500. He'll be remembered as his sport's Michael Jordan or Arnold Palmer.

F

Firewall: The slab of steel separating the driver cockpit from the engine compartment.

Flagman: The person standing on the tower above the Start/Finish Line who controls the race with the display of specific flags.

Flat Spot: A tire that has developed a flat place usually resulting from a skid. Flat spots lead to vibrations which may require a pit stop for new tires.

Free pass: when the caution flag comes out, the first car one lap down gets a free pass around the pace car to rejoin the lead lap cars. Also known as the "lucky dog" pass.

Fresh Rubber: A new set of tires put on during a pit stop.

Freezing the field: when the caution flag comes out, drivers stop racing and hold whatever position they had at the time of the incident.

Fuel Cell: The gas tank for race cars - holds 22 gallons of fuel during most races.

Full-time Ride or Seat: When a driver has a full-time position driving with a team.

G

Garage: The area of a racetrack where cars are housed during an event; work area for car preparation while at a speedway.

Gas Catcher: The person on the pit crew who uses a small container to capture the overflow of gas as the car's tank is filled during a pit stop.

Gas Man: The person on the pit crew who fills the car up with gas during a pit stop.

Got the Green: A green flag is used to restart the race. The pace car will pull off the track into pit lane and the race resumes. Note: the race cars do not come to a stop on the track at anytime, unless a red flag is thrown.

Green Track: A racetrack that has little or no rubber left on it from a previous race. Traction is reduced on a green track.

Groove: The best "lane" around a speedway; the fastest way, or line, around a race track for a particular driver. The groove can vary during the course of a race with a change in temperature or the track's surface. The 'high groove' takes a car closer to the outside wall for most of a lap. The 'low groove' takes a car closer to the apron.

H

Handling: A reference to a race car's performance with relation to the driver's ability to control the car. Suspension, tires and airflow all contribute.

HANS: Acronym for Head and Neck Safety device. The brace fits around the shoulders and attaches to a driver's helmet, limiting the range of motion of the neck during a collision to help minimize whiplash. Drivers are required to wear a HANS or Hutchens device during all races.

Happy Hour: The last practice before a race. Crews have one hour in which to test and fine tune their cars for the race the next day.

Hauler: Tractor-trailer that carries the team from track to track. Typically they carry two race cars as well as all the tools and gear needed.

Heat: A race before the main event.

Hooked Up: When a car is performing at its maximum. Also called "dialed in."

Horsepower: Horsepower is the estimated power needed to lift 33,000 pounds one foot per minute. It is a unit of measurement representing how much power an engine generates and is roughly equated with a horse's strength. More horsepower equals a faster car. Winston Cup cars produce more than 750 horsepower.

Hot-lap: A car and driver are running at or near the maximum speed for the course.

Hung Out to Dry: When a driver looses positions, after attempting to pass on the outside of a line of race cars in the draft, and other drivers won't allow them back in the draft. Also referred to as High and Dry.

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