Red Flag: A solid red flag is used to stop the race immediately. Generally races are stopped for bad accidents or weather. Occasionally, a multiple car accident will stop a race. Wreckers and fire marshals clear the track of cars, debris and fluids.
Restrictor Plate: A thin metal plate with four holes attached to the carburetor that restricts the flow of air, thus reducing horsepower and speed. Restrictor plates are used only at Daytona International Speedway and Talladega Superspeedway.
Rev Range: Slang for the range of speeds (expressed as revolutions per minute [RPM's]) in which an engine is designed to operate. The lowest point in the rev range is the idle speed; the highest point is the redline (don't go there!).
Road Course: A closed course with turns to both the right and the left like a normal road. Two examples are Sears Point and Watkins Glen.
Roll cage: The steel cage designed to protect drivers from impacts or rollovers. Undergoes testing at each track to ensure it meets NASCAR's safety requirements.
Roof Flaps: Located on a race car's roof, they rise when a car begins spinning out of control in order to catch the wind and limit a car's ability to become airborne.
Round of Wedge: A chassis adjustment that affects handling by changing the pressure on the rear springs. Crew members can put rounds of wedge in - or take them out - by sticking a tool through a hole in the rear portion of the roof.
Scuff: A tire that has been used at least once and is saved for future racing. A lap or two is enough to 'scuff' it in. This heats up the tires and has a tendency to harden the rubber. This is done during practice sessions prior to a race.
Setup Sheets: Historical records of setups from the different tracks under varying weather conditions. Teams use this baseline to adjust setups when they arrive at a track.
Setup: The combination of settings for a car's engine, aerodynamics, suspension and tires.
Shoe: When a driver gives his car the gas - pressing his shoe to the gas pedal. Also heard sometimes "Give it some shoe."
Shoot Out: After a caution when all the cars are bunched together behind the pace car and there are only a few laps remaining when the race is restarted. Drivers will try and "shoot out" to the lead.
Short Track: A racetrack whose distance is less than one mile. Bristol Motor Speedway, Martinsville Speedway and Richmond International Raceway are the only short tracks left on the Winston Cup schedule.
Slingshot: A maneuver in which a car behind the leader of a draft pulls out to break the vacuum. It provides the driver with the extra needed burst of speed to make the pass.
Spinout: When a race car that spins around due to being tapped, racing too close to another car, or clipping another while attempting a pass.
Splash and Go: When a driver makes a late-race pit maneuver and comes in for a little bit of gas when his car could not otherwise finish the race with the remaining fuel.
Spoiler: A metal strip that helps control airflow, downforce and drag. The front spoiler or 'air dam' is underneath the car's front end near the axle; the rear spoiler is attached to the trunk lid.
Spotter: The person in constant radio communication with the driver relaying information on other car's position or imminent danger ahead. Think of it as a driver's eyes in the sky.
Springs: Found at each wheel. Tension in the springs can be adjusted with a jackbolt.
Sticker: A new tire. Term comes from the manufacturer's stick-on label denoting the type of tire, price, etc..
Stop 'n Go Penalty: Punishment for a rule infraction during green flag conditions (usually speeding down pit road). The driver must come down pit road, stop in his pit stall, usually for 15 seconds, then proceeds back to the track.
Straightaway: The portion of the track that's not the corner.
Superspeedway: A large, wide, long track with steep banking in the turns. Originally, superspeedway meant any track longer than one mile. Now, the term generally refers to Daytona International Speedway (2.5 miles) and Talladega Superspeedway (2.66 miles).
Swapping Paint: When one car makes light contact with another car during a race - also known as rubbing or trading paint.
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