NASCAR Is Not The Only Race In Town
When you talk car racing most people think of NASCAR - National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing. It is, perhaps, the most popular sport in America. Along with NASCAR, there are three other major types of car racing in America - Formula 1, Champ Car, and Indy Racing League. Taken together, these four racing groups offer a range of competition and challenges for drivers and exciting experiences for racing fans. FORMULA 1: The Formula 1 race calendar starts in March and goes into October with 18 races in 18 different countries. The American race is held at the Indianapolis Speedway, with the 2006 contest occurring on July 2nd. The race covers approximately 190 miles or 73 laps on the Indy road course. Formula 1 cars have open cockpits, open wheels, and are very low to the ground. They’re made with one primary goal in mind - speed. Extremely fast speeds define Formula 1 racing. The chassis, which must be constricted by the racing team, are made of ultra-light materials such as carbon fiber, allowing the cars to jet down the track. They also have wings in the front and back, which are designed to keep the cars low to the ground and to help them cut down air resistance. Every aspect is dedicated to precision and speed and thus an unneeded feature like bumpers have been eliminated. The intimate cockpit is in the middle of the vehicle, giving the machine a strong center of gravity. All of these elements help make them extremely aerodynamic and fast - their speeds top 200 mph. One of the major challenges for drivers of these cars is the complex course they run. The Indianapolis track has 13 turns, including hairpins that demand a driver quickly downshift from a speed of almost 200 mph to 86 mph and then to 36 mph. Then the driver pushes the throttle up to 160 mph. All of this happens during a five-turn sequence that covers about 1/2 mile on the 2.6-mile course. Many Formula 1 races are run in city streets that become racetracks just for that event. Along with the blinding speed, lightweight vehicles, and complex courses come the dangers of this sport. When a car going 200 mph loses its grip on the track, spins and nails a retaining wall, other drivers have to instantly adjust. If they don’t, the results can be deadly. Of the four major categories of car racing, Formula 1 is the least popular in America. Perhaps this is due to the international nature of its venues - there’s only one race in America - along with the fact that the races are run every other week, unlike NASCAR that runs every week except on Easter Sunday. CHAMP CAR: The 16-race Champ Car World Series starts in late March and run into the middle of November. Fourteen of its races are in the U.S., Canada or Mexico, with two other contests being held in Australia and South Korea. Bridgestone is the major sponsor of Champ Car (Champ Car is the short for Championship Car). Although a few of the races are run on ovals, most of the contests are held on road courses. In fact, many of the races are held on city streets that have been converted for that one weekend into a road course. Cities that set up temporary tracks include Long Beach and San Jose, CA; Houston, TX; and Denver, CO. Although some are shorter and others a bit longer, most Champ courses run about 2 miles in length. Like their Formula 1 counterparts, Champ Cars reach speeds of close to 200 mph. The Champ Car raceways, for the most part, are shorter than Formula 1 tracks and also have fewer and more gradual turns. You’ll find Formula 1 courses feature between 12 and 20 turns with at least one tight series of hairpins, while Champ Car tracks average approximately 9 turns, and although they certainly demand tight maneuvering, they don’t offer the complex, extremely narrow angles of Formula 1. Because Champ cars race on ovals along with street courses, they are heavier and have a longer wheelbase. Oval courses with their lack of turns encourage higher speeds, and these speeds put more stress on a car; thus the wheelbase on a Champ Car is sturdier but less agile than those on Formulas 1 racers. These less maneuverable wheelbases are one of the primary reasons that Champ Cars do not have to negotiate the ultra-tight street course curves that their counterparts do. There is certainly a rivalry between the American based Champ Car enthusiasts and the international Formula 1 fans that focuses on which is the better circuit, has more competitive races, and the best teams. In looking at each type of car, it’s hard to tell the difference between them. They are very similar but each has unique characteristics. Formula-1 racecars are powered by gasoline and are not turbocharged, whereas Champs burn methanol and utilize the turbo. Champ Cars also use non-grooved tires, and they are allowed to incorporate a set of softer compound wheels, providing them with an edge over other cars, making the outcome of the race less predictable. Some race fans prefer Champ Car to Formula 1 due to the fact that lead changes are more achievable in the former and also because the less stringent tire rules allow for creativity that can yield excitement and positive results on the track. INDY RACING LEAGUE: The Indy Racing League (IRL) sponsors races primarily on oval tracks with the centerpiece being the Indianapolis 500, which is held every year on Memorial Day weekend at the Indianapolis Speedway. The schedule, which has the fewest races of the four major racing organizations, produces 14 events. The IRL season kicks off in late March and runs until early September. The only road course for this series in 2006 is the Infineon in Sonoma, CA and the only race held outside of the U.S. occurs at Twin Ring Motegi, Japan. The IRL was founded in 1996 and, since that time, has gone through various growing pains. Like the Champ Car World Series, its cars are open wheel racers with a central cockpit. At first the IRL had difficulty attracting top drivers; however, as the organization gained credence, it was able to attract some competitive drivers. In 2007, as part of an environmentally friendly policy, all IRL cars will be running on ethanol. Indy circuit cars have tires that are similar to those used on Formula 1 cars, while their agility and weight are akin to that of the Champ racers. Of the four racing groups, the IRL may be the weakest when it comes to financial stability and name recognition. Many fans, sports writers, and officials who are interested in open wheel racing have called for the unification of IRL and Champ Cars, making one organization with the very best drivers and most competitive races. Many feel that American Indy car racing would benefit from the strength of having a single group in charge, resulting in a less diluted product while helping to establish dominance over Formula 1. NASCAR: Even if you don’t know what the letters stand for or you’ve never been to a NASCAR sanctioned race, everyone knows that NASCAR is about stock car racing. Stock cars are simply racecars that take road models or common stock as the foundation from which the racecar is created. The Nextel Cup Series, NASCARS’ premiere event, starts in February and finishes up in November. Along with being the longest of the race seasons, NASCAR also boasts the most events - 39! Additionally, they have the most drivers - 50 as opposed to the approximately 20 involved in each of the other organizations. NASCAR races are held on road courses, ovals, irregularly shaped tracks, and circular raceways. Three things that make NASCAR popular are the regularity of its schedule, the expert machines, crews, and drivers, and the ability of the organization to be innovative while still holding to tradition. The look of the stock cars, unlike the racers for Formula 1, Champ Car or IRL, make NASCAR the race of the people because we all drive vehicles that look like the cars that Jeff Gordon. Sterling Martin, and Jimmie Johnson maneuver each week. Few of us can see ourselves behind the wheel of a Formula 1, but many of us drive a Chevy like Tony Stewart, a Dodge like Kyle Petty or a Ford like Dale Jarrett. This connection that fans make with the stock car certainly helps extend the popularity of the circuit in the U.S. Also, unlike the other three organizations, NASCAR runs their races every week. It’s grueling, but it also creates a great competitive atmosphere and a large following that wants to know if Sterling Martin is going to cut off Jeff Gordon just like he did last week; and if he does, what will Gordon do about it? Stock car races tend to include many lead changes, sparring amongst drivers, and athletic pit stops. Also, NASCAR holds all of its races in the United States, giving the entire circuit a specific national focus. Although NASCAR is not the only game in town, they are the best known and most organized, offering fans weekly competition with an intensity and drive that no other racing organization has rivaled. The other groups certainly have their following and produce a great product, but Formula 1 may be too elite to ever reach Americans the way NASCAR has. Champ Car is more grounded in America but lacks the weekly head-to-head competition and IRL has been unable to exploit the mystique of the Indy racecar. It may behoove you to check out all four of these major racing organizations and their events. If you’re a NASCAR fan, you may find something unique in Formula 1 that you can also enjoy. Champ Car lovers should be able to get into the non-stop nature of stock car racing. Formula 1 folks may enjoy the variety NASCAR offers, while IRL enthusiasts might like the international flavor of Formula 1. Then again - these camps and their allegiances may not be interested in ever crossing over to the other side. ONLINE BETTING If you think that sports wagering is limited to the four major sports (football, basketball, baseball and hockey), think again. A number of online sportsbooks offer race fans an opportunity to cash in on their favorites. You can easily find odds online on which driver or team will win a race, capture the pole position or finish in the top three. The cars are running - take part in the excitement on race day. This article was written by Paul Mroczka for http://www.thegreek.com The Greek Sportsbook & Casino, winner of Gambling Online Magazine’s Top Payouts Sportsbook, is host to one of the top online sportsbooks. The Greek is a must have sports betting and entertainment portal with one of the largest wagering menus available online. Reproductions of this article are encouraged but must include a link pointing to http://www.thegreek.com |
Other Sport Betting Articles
English Rugby - Back on Track ? The 2004/5 season was a bad year for English international rugby. Those heady days of 2003 down under and Jonny Wilkinson’s last minute drop goal seemed a long way away as Wales completed a marvellous year by beating us 11-9 in the final match of the six nations.It started well enough, business as usual in a 70-0 walloping of the Canadian ...Never Bet on Big Soccer Underdogs As almost every professional bettor will tell you, backing heavy favourites is a sure fire way to the poorhouse. That’s common knowledge, right? Perhaps, but there’s one problem with that type of thinking: it’s dead wrong.The received wisdom is the linesmakers skew their odds on heavy favourites because the public love betting on the best ...Championship Betting Review Runaway leaders Reading suffered their first League defeat in 33 games at the hands of Luton on Friday night. The in-form Kevin Doyle put the 9/10 Royals ahead but were stunned with two goals from Rowan Vine and one from Dean Morgan. Doyle pulled one back for Reading in stoppage time but Luton had done enough to earn an unlikely win at odds of 1 ...League Two Season Preview 2006/07 - Swindon Town Swindon TownOdds: 8/1Last Five Seasons 2005/06 – 23 (League One, Relegated), 2004/05 – 12 (League One), 2003/04 – 5 (League One), 2002/03 – 10 (League One), 2001/02 – 13 (League One).2005/06 Cup Progress FA Cup First Round (replay) vs Boston United (a) – lost 4-1. Carling Cup First Round vs Wycombe Wanderers (h) – lost 3-1. ...Championship Season Preview 2006/07 - Leicester City Leicester CityOdds: 20/1Last Five Seasons2005/06 - 16 (Championship), 2004/05 - 15 (Championship), 2003/04 - 18 (Premiership, Relegated), 2002/03 - 2 (Championship, Promoted), 2001/02 - 20 (Premiership, Relegated).2005/06 Cup ProgressFA Cup Fourth Round vs Southampton (h) - lost 1-0. Carling Cup Fourth Round vs ...Championship Season Preview 2006/07 - Burnley BurnleyOdds: 100/1Last Five Seasons 2005/06 - 17 (Championship), 2004/05 - 13 (Championship), 2003/04 - 19 (Championship), 2002/03 - 16 (Championship), 2001/02 - 7 (Championship).2005/06 Cup Progress FA Cup Third Round vs Derby County (a) - lost 2-1. Carling Cup Third Round vs Aston Villa (a) - lost 1-0.To ...2006 FIFA Soccer World Cup Referees About To Be Selected The 2006 FIFA Soccer World Cup will be held in Germany and, with gametime approaching, the final 44 referee candidates are hoping that they will be among the selected officials chosen to preside over this year’s championship event. "I've prepared well, and I've comfortably overcome every hurdle in this last test," admits Herbert Fandel, Germany ...Premiership Season Preview 2006/07 - Bolton Wanderers Bolton WanderersOdds: 500/1Last Five Seasons 2005/06 - 8 (Premiership), 2004/05 - 6 (Premiership), 2003/04 - 8 (Premiership), 2002/03 - 17 (Premiership), 2001/02 - 16 (Premiership).2005/06 Cup Progress UEFA Cup Last 32 vs Marseille - lost 2-1 on aggregate. FA Cup Fifth Round (replay) vs West Ham United (a) - lost ...Roulette System: Discover Why You always Fail At Roulette Game Online Roulette System: Discover Why You always Fail At Roulette game even you have the best roulette system!!!In this article, let's take a look why you always fail at roulette game even you have the best roulette system!!!I want to tell you a story about a touchstone.I think it is relevant to this article topic.No ...Origin of Basketball - Part 1 Basketball is a sport with a history that is very different from many modern sports. While many of the present day team sports evolved from variations of past sports, basketball is unique, having been invented by Dr. James Naismith, a physician and minister working for the college for YMCA professionals (later called Springfield College, in Mas ...Premiership Season Preview 2006/07 - Fulham FulhamOdds: 1000/1Last Five Seasons 2005/06 - 12 (Premiership), 2004/05 - 13 (Premiership), 2003/04 - 9 (Premiership), 2002/03 - 14 (Premiership), 2001/02 - 13 (Premiership).2005/06 Cup Progress FA Cup Third Round vs Leyton Orient (h) - lost 2-1. Carling Cup Third Round vs West Bromwich Albion (h) - lost 3-2 afte ...Boxing Equipment for your Health Boxing is a sport that's popular throughout the world. It is often misunderstood as simply fighting, but there are vast health benefits to the aerobic workout you get from boxing. It is important that when you decide to take up the sport of boxing you invest in solid, durable boxing equipment that will protect you and your opponent while you tra ...League One Betting Review - 5 February 2006 Southend United returned to the top of League One with a 2-0 win at Yeovil. Available at 13/8 before kick off, a first half goal from Mark Bentley and one from veteran Shaun Goater extended the Shrimpers’ unbeaten run to 12 games. Steve Tilson’s side are 7/2 to win the division outright.Colchester set a new club record of nine consecutive ...World Cup 2006-Track Your Favorite Team Day or Night Technology is so advanced that unlike a few decades ago one does not have to wait for “the news” to get an update on any sporting event. Apart from live coverage on television there are web sites devoted exclusively to the event.The official website http://fifaworldcup.yahoo.com/06/en/w/sc/index.html is comprehensive and has news, views, ...Baseball Jackets - What a Cool Emblem! All you need to do to make your hubby or son puff up with pride is to give either of them a baseball jacket. Or even both of them, why not? Make certain you pick a baseball jacket that carries the insignia of the baseball team he is cheering for.Because to the owner of a baseball jacket, possessing a baseball jacket is much more meaningf ...League Two Season Preview 2006/07 - Accrington Stanley Accrington StanleyOdds: 20/1Last Five Seasons 2005/06 - 1 (Conference, Promoted), 2004/05 - 10 (Conference), 2003/04 - 10 (Conference), 2002/03 - 1 (Unibond Premier, Promoted), 2001/02 - 6 (Unibond Premier).Cup Progress 2005/06 FA Cup Fourth Qualifying Round (replay) vs Worcester City (a) - lost 3-2. FA Trophy Th ...Using Arbitrage Trading to Make Money From Home In today’s world anymore you need to work two jobs. You need a part time job, and a full time job. The problem with this though is that it doesn’t allow you to have much time to do the things we should really be doing in life. Spending time with our kids, taking family vacations, buying a new home or car, and so much more. If you are anything li ...
|
