NASCAR 101: A stick-and-ball fans guide to NASCAR
Matt Crossman, Sporting News NASCAR Wire Service
Thursday, August 24, 2006
Another NASCAR postseason is nigh upon us, and for all you stick-and-ball snobs, its time to pay attention. All we are saying ... is give speed a chance. NASCAR isnt all oil and sponsors and dirty fingernails and tobacco spit and driving fast and turning left. Its mostly that stuff, but theres so much more.
In recent years, NASCAR has shuffled its schedule to broaden its appeal. The race on the Sunday before Labor Day moved to California, of all places. But maybe thats a good idea because NASCARs biggest problem is that it is too provincial, too self-contained, too an island-unto-itself.
NASCAR has its own part of the country (Southeast), its own rules (made up weekly), even its own language. Perhaps being NASCAR-illiterate is keeping you from loving the sport. It might help to have a glossary for whats coming out of your TV this fall:
Aero: Short for aerodynamic.
Block: To prevent another car from passing.
Dirty air: The turbulence created in a cars wake. Also, the infield after the chili-eating contest.
Deal: A ubiquitous term that can mean contract, situation, altercation, relationship and pretty much anything else.
Infield: The area inside a track on which fans camp for days, then watch the one-eighth of each lap theyre able to see from the top of their RVs. Makes Woodstock look serene.
Loose: The rear tires arent sticking enough, meaning a fishtail is likely. Also, an infield campers grip on reality at 1 a.m. Sunday.
Restrictor plate: A device put on each cars carburetor at Daytona and Talladega to limit horsepower. The intent is to slow the cars down for safety reasons, but the result is bunched-up cars, big wrecks and boring races. Restrictor plates are almost universally hated.
Stick-and-ball: All sports played without cars.
Them: Those.
Tight: The front tires lose traction, making steering difficult. Also, Mark Martins skin.




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