| Watching a NASCAR race can be one of the most | | | | During pit stops as a race nears completion, crew |
| entertaining and exciting ways to spend a Sunday | | | | chiefs must constantly decide whether or not to |
| afternoon (or in some cases a Saturday night). Every | | | | change two or four tires, or add fuel only, and |
| race on the Nextel Cup schedule has its share of | | | | whether or not to pit at all. One of the most |
| drama and strategy that provide the fans with an | | | | dramatic events within a NASCAR race occurs when |
| enjoyable, dramatic experience. | | | | a crew chief decides to gamble and not bring his car |
| What makes NASCAR worth watching? How about | | | | in to the pits near the end of the race-thinking the |
| the strategy and planning that each race team | | | | car has enough gas to finish. This strategy often |
| employs in their attempts at victory. | | | | results in victories and probably equally as often |
| When a caution flag is waved during a race, the crew | | | | results in cars running out of gas-unable to finish. |
| chief must decide whether or not to bring his driver | | | | Additional important strategic elements in NASCAR |
| in for a pit stop. If you decide to come into the pits | | | | racing are the adjustments made to the car |
| and other teams follow, well great. If you decide to | | | | throughout the race. Depending on how a car is |
| pit and others stay out on the track, then you can | | | | handling, a crew chief may decide to add or reduce |
| fall behind very quickly. You better hope that the | | | | air pressure in the car's tires, based on the feedback |
| fresh tires on your car allow you to catch up with | | | | the driver is giving him. Make the right adjustments |
| the guys that didn't come in for fresh tires of their | | | | and your car improves and you're a contender for a |
| own. | | | | victory. Make the wrong adjustments, and you have |
| A crew chief must evaluate how race tires have | | | | a miserable day. It has to be very frustrating to drive |
| been performing throughout each race. As a race | | | | four or five hundred miles knowing you have no |
| nears completion, a race team may decide to put | | | | chance to win. |
| only two fresh tires on their car. They may even | | | | To pit or not to pit? Gas or no gas? Two tires or |
| elect to add fuel only and not change tires at all. This | | | | four tires, or how about no tires? These are just a |
| strategy saves valuable time, and gets a driver back | | | | few examples of the many decisions each race team |
| out on the track quickly. The gain in track position | | | | has to deal with. The strategy involved makes |
| can send a driver to victory, or send a driver to the | | | | watching a NASCAR race a fun and entertaining way |
| back of the pack, surpassed by cars with fresh tires. | | | | to spend an afternoon. |