Okay, NASCAR enthusiasts....

[E-A-G-L-E!]

What are restrictor plate cars?

Oh, and btw, my comment wasn't necessarily about the Daytona per se, just that that seemed to be the goal for finishing my lessons.  I'll keep those tips in mind, though.

[stroh]

http://en.wikipedia.org/w...i/Restrictor_plate_racing

[stroh]

Some people don't like it, but I do.

You just put the hammer down, and run 'er full out all the way around the track.

[E-A-G-L-E!]

I didn't want to run to wiki.  The NASCAR enthusiasts that write the articles write as if the person reading them has enough background in NASCAR to understand what they're saying.

Okay, okay... I'll go read the article.

[E-A-G-L-E!]

So those little restrictor plates, are they inserted into the engine before the qualifier and taken out afterwards?  Or were restrictor plate cars specified because they use a race a different car during the qualifier than they do in the race?

[stroh]

It's a product of the size and shape of the racetrack, as well as the power of the car.
Safety, and and attempt to completely level the playing field.

At 2 and 1/2 miles the car with 750 horse power would reach speeds close to 300 miles an hour, and fly off the track.  The restrictor limits the amount of gas and air the engine can get, basically choking it.  they run about 430 hp.

The cars show up with the plates on, and they stay that way until the race ends on Sunday.

[E-A-G-L-E!]

Okie-dokie.  So the plates are on for everything not just the qualifier.  I messed that up in my head somehow.

Another question: what was the very first NASCAR race?

[MFAWG]

The official history is that Feb 15, 1948 at the Daytona Beach course was the first NASCAR race, but it was actually for what are now called modifieds.

North Wilkesboro in 1949 was the first race for the 'Strictly Stock' division, which became Grand National and later Winston/Nextel Cup.

[birdsboro]

actually, Sprint cup isn't really like racing......i mean.... the announcers make it sound interesting on tv and all but if you really mean racing.... you gotta head on out and get "dirty" and go to your local short track.  410 sprints if you can find 'em.....          http://chasinracin.com/tr...k-locator/states/mn.shtml

[Spanky]

Uh oh birdsboro sounds like a MFAWG jr.

[E-A-G-L-E!]

actually, Sprint cup isn't really like racing......i mean.... the announcers make it sound interesting on tv and all but if you really mean racing.... you gotta head on out and get "dirty" and go to your local short track.  410 sprints if you can find 'em.....          http://chasinracin.com/tr...k-locator/states/mn.shtml

Well, thank you.   Right now, I'm just trying to learn about racing in general.  The guys here at GH managed to talk me into watching a few races last year, and it was more interesting than I thought it would be.  (It also helped to have someone around answering my questions during the race.)  I don't think I'll be heading out to any tracks yet, but the link come in handy if I ever decide to go to one.

I was rather hoping that they would start in with the history and then gradually onto mechanics and such, but they're being too specific in their answers and not leaving much room for a follow up question.  Too bad for them that I thought of a couple anyway.


What were the surrounding events for the first race (how was it decided where it would be, who it would include, etc.)?  Oh, and who won?

[MFAWG]

IIRC from last year, EAGLE is fairly close to one of the Wisconsin dirt tracks that runs multiple OW shows a year, but I can't recall which one.

I seem to recall that Birdsboro is an Indiana boy from FGI.

Seamus, are we going to Skagit this year and play Avalon?

[E-A-G-L-E!]

IIRC from last year, EAGLE is fairly close to one of the Wisconsin dirt tracks that runs multiple OW shows a year, but I can't recall which one.

You actually think I would cross the border?!?

[Seamus]

IIRC from last year, EAGLE is fairly close to one of the Wisconsin dirt tracks that runs multiple OW shows a year, but I can't recall which one.
I seem to recall that Birdsboro is an Indiana boy from FGI.
Seamus, are we going to Skagit this year and play Avalon?

I didn't check back in on this thread, I didn't see this question, sorry. Uh...Yeah we are,  you name it and I'm there.

Looking forward to my horizons being broadened, nuttin' like the smell of burning rubber and high octane gas at your local racin' 'stablishment.