Dirtrack Racing Basics

Many people wonder what is the difference between drag racing, asphalt circle track racing and dirt track racing. Drag racing is a race between 2 vehicles in a straight line. Asphalt circle track racing usually has from 20 to 40 vehicles in a race around a closed course for example around a football field. The highest level of asphalt racing is Nascar on Sundays or Indy open wheel racing. Dirt track racing usually has up to 25 vehicles and the surface is some kind of dirt or clay surface and is also an enclosed course. The highest level od dirt track racing is the World of Outlaws type of cars.

Since the dirt track gives off a lot of dust, they are watered down prior to the start of races. this will cause the cars to slide around. The cars can actually go much faster by sliding around the corners instead of just steering around the turns. they do this by controlling the slide as they go around the corners.

When the back slides out as you are turning left, you have to turn the front wheels to the right to keep from spinning completely around. Hence the famous saying “there aint nothing like turning right to go left”.

There are usually 5 to 7 classes of cars ranging from the junior-mini class which is for kids from 12 to 16 years old to the modifieds and sprint classes. Note: I own and drive a streetstock car.

The race program usually starts with “hot laps” which is a way to test the cars best setup for handling. Next are the heat races. The entrants usually draw for starting position and usually there are 6 to 10 cars in a heat race. how you finish in the heats determine how you lineup for the feature race. If there is a wreck, car stalled on the track or some other problem, the flagman will throw out the yellow (caution) flag and the laps do not count until the race is restarted under green.

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