Nascar questions?

Question

Hi everyone, I am new to watching Nascar Nextel cup. Can someone help me two questions?

1. What's the big deal about pitting on yellow versus green?
2. Is the busch series like the minor leagues? If so, why do some race in both?

Answer 1

1. Caution pits are extremely crucial to spots on the track. If you go in under green and everyone else is still out running you loose laps, and then you end up really screwed if there is a caution right afterwards. Obviously the laps under green are oh say like twice the speed so you loose twice the amount of spots under green. In a few races you end up having to have green flag stops b/c cautions care few and far between. Sometimes it works out okay and everyone else has to stop and things even out..sometimes a caution ends up flying and only half the field has taken their green flag stops and the other half luck out and get to go under yellow. On most of the tracks that 14 or so second stop can happen before the leaders come back around..

2. Well, the Busch cars and the Cup cars are a little different, and of course so are the races..but the main theories still apply...so yeah, in a sense it's kind of like the minor league. It's not as big as Cup, but it's still the same game. So many have now started to race in both for several reasons. The original reason was basically it was kind of used as a transition. A lot of drivers would run a couple Cup races while they were Busch babies to start getting used to it. Some rookies would run both to get more seat time. Now it's gotten to the point where a lot of big time cup drivers are doing both. Part of it is b/c these boys live eat and breath racings. So given the chance they will race anything they can. Another reason is team development. Of course the more money you win for a team the more things they can do with that team.
I blame the huge boom in the buschwhacker phase on the new testing policies. It's hard to really tune these cars in with so few testing options..so now, if they can do bush and cup they have more testing options. There is a lot more to it all..but that would require a novel. These are your first big few, big, basic ideas behind it though..

Answer 2

1. Watch closely during the caution and see all the different strategies taking place.Some teams change all four tires,fill up on fuel and make adjustments.Other teams are trying to gain track position and just change two tires and take on fuel.Some just take fuel, and a few may not pit at all.The teams really have a lot to consider during a race,and you would be amazed at how technical it can get.Sometimes adding a quarter of a pound of air pressure to a tire can drastically change the way a race car handles.The pit crews are also in a race with themselves,with other crews, and with the clock.You will see a wide array of emotions during a pit stop.
I haven't even mentioned the danger involved.Many good men have died in the pits, and that is the reason NASCAR monitors pit road speeds so closely.It wasn't too many years ago that there was no speed limit on pit road.
2.The Busch Series is the main training ground for new talent.It is also a great way for the Nextel Cup drivers to get a better feel for the track and prepare for the big race the next day.The cars in the two series are very similiar,with the major difference being slightly less horsepower in the Busch cars. Having veteran drivers in the Busch races gives the new guys great training,as they can see how the old timers do it. Every track is different, and being able to "run with the big dogs" can make or break a new driver.
I hope this helps, and enjoy!

Answer 3

Pitting under yellow is advantageous at most race tracks because when you pit under green you have the chance of going a lap down, which can be difficult to overcome. At the road courses, however, you may see people making green flag pit stops because they won't go a lap down and when the caution does come out, they don't have to head to the pits.

I really don't think that NASCAR has a definition of the Busch Series as being the minor leagues. Yes, it had worked that way for a long time, but in today's day and age, sponsors are requiring results and the only way to get the good results is to put a Cup driver in the seat.

Answer 4

Yellow they go much slower then the green racing. So the teams have time to do there pits stops right. Under Green the crews have more pressure on them.

Yes the busch series is the minor leagues. The Nextel Cup drivers have less testing at tracks so the cup guys drive in busch to get to know the track for the weekend.

Answer 5

ok # 1 if you pit on yellow the cars still on the track are going slower so you have a better chance of not being lapped while your in the pits.
#2 The Busch series is a whole different series but in the last few years it has become a minor league of sorts. Drivers from cup race those races for extra practice since the cars are now simular and also Nascar has cut down on their testing at different tracks so now race teams use the Busch race as a test to learn how to set up the car.

Answer 6

1) If you pit under green you could possibly go a lap down. (It depends on the size of the track.)

2) Most of them do it for practice. Even though I think it takes away from the Busch regulars. Yes, the Busch series is like minor leagues in NASCAR. The drivers that run just Busch are less experienced. So, I think that when the Nextel cup guys race in Busch, it's taking opportunities away from the less experienced drivers. Just my opinion....
Hope this helps! :-)

GO #8!

Answer 7

There is no true minor league.If you want to call the local short tracks minor league,ARCA would be like a "A" league team in Baseball,the Trucks would be "AA" and Busch would be "AAA" and NEXTEL would be the majors.Though the cup drives use busch for practice or what ever they "cheat" some good tallent from moving up to cup.
As for green vs yellow pitting the yellow flag laps ar slower so the crews can do the work some what safer and not rush as much.Under green the track is full speed so time is the factor.

Answer 8

1. It's easier to get behind when you pit under the green versus pitting under the yellow, where all the cars get to pit at the same time if they choose.
2. Yes the Busch series is like the minor league, I think most Nextel guys race in Busch for practice, but I also think they race there to help fill the seats and attract sponsers.

Answer 9

1. When you pit on green, you lose time and maybe a lap. Pitting on yellow won't put you a lap down on most tracks.
2. Nextel Cup is the highest NASCAR series in all. Busch series is second best, Craftsman is third, and lower like Featherlite Modified Series and Autozone West Series. I don't know why some go in 2 series.

Answer 10

yellow flags you must go slower, so obviously if you pit on a yellow, the other cars will be moving slower and you will not fall behind as much. Yes, busch series is kinda like the minors, but it is more in the middle. Arca is the minor leagues, they race in both so that they can make more money, get more experience, and maybe be a champ in that league to add to their resume