How to Plan NASCAR Race Strategy

NASCAR teams hit the tracks with a race plan, but when the action gets hot and heavy, the plan changes as quickly as the first set of worn tires. "You can plan to pit on lap 50, but, if a caution flies on lap 40, you're coming in," says Johnny Benson, driver of the #10 Tyler Jet Motorsports Lycos Pontiac.

Instructions

Difficulty: Challenging

Things You’ll Need:

• Binoculars
• Straps For Sunglasses
• Binoculars Cases
• Monopoly® NASCAR® - Collector's Edition
• Ear Protectors
• ESPN - The Magazine
• Sports Illustrated Magazines
• Sports Sunglasses
• PlayStation NASCAR 2000
• Nintendo 64 NASCAR 99
• Winston Cup Scene Magazines
• Stock Car Racing Magazines
• Public Service Band Scanners
• NASCAR Uncut Videos
• NASCAR 50th Anniversary Southern Exposure Videos

1. Bring your best car to the track.
2. Check your book for the right setup of shocks, springs, rear-end gear, and sway bar.
3. Make sure your over-the-wall pit crew is sharp.
4. Tune for horsepower and aerodynamics for a superspeedway.
5. Tune for downforce and handling on the shorter tracks.
6. Plan for tire wear and fuel mileage.
7. Work hard for a good qualifying setup.
8. Use Happy Hour to refine your race setup.
9. Watch the weather and be ready to adapt as it changes during the race.
10. Use your in-car radio to discuss changing conditions with your crew chief and spotter.

Tips & Warnings

• Johnny Benson says the key to winning is the ability to toss your race plan out the window and adapt to changing conditions. "You might have a general idea about the type of strategy you plan to employ, but so many things happen in a race, you pretty much have to remain flexible."
• Take your best "old" car to the Bristol and Martinsville tracks. Fender-to-fender rubbin' and racin' at the short "bull rings" can mean hauling your car home in pieces.
• "In this business you are either going up or going down. There is no standing still," says Johnny Benson.