SETUP

Term for the tuning and adjustments made to a race cars suspension before and during a race. Understanding a "setup" requires a deep understanding of geometry, weight transfer and general mechanical physics.

SHORT TRACK

Racetracks that are less than one mile in length.

SILLY SEASON

Slang for the period that begins during the latter part of the current season, wherein some teams announce driver, crew and/or sponsor changes.

SPOILER (rear blade)

The spoiler is a strip of aluminum that stretches across the width of a race car's rear decklid. It is designed to create downforce on the rear of the car, increasing grip on the racetrack. NASCAR mandates the size and angle of the spoiler and checks the height and angle every time the car goes out on the track. However, the tradeoff, again, is that more downforce equals more drag, so teams attempt , to lay the spoiler at as low an angle as possible to free up" their cars for more straightaway speed. They do that by using softer springs in the rear which lower the car down the straights.

STAGGER

Stagger refers to the difference in circumference of the left and right side tires. Typically the left side tires would be smaller in circumference to make the car corner better. Some say that with the tires Goodyear supplies to the teams (the top ten qualifiers don't have to pay for them. Tires cost a little over $350.00 apiece) stagger is no longer important to the handling of the cars. Don't believe it. Every team employs a "tire person" who knows exactly the circumference of the tires used on the car.

STICK

A term used to define how well the car is gripping the track. Orly might say something like, "…the car is sticking real well in turn three but I am loosing grip in turn four."

STICKERS- SCUFFS

Slang term for brand new Goodyear Eagles that still have the labels on them. "Scuffs" are tires that have had the "new" worn off them by running them a few laps. The purpose is to take the tire through a heat cycle which changes the compound of the rubber and makes the handling characteristics slightly different. Every team saves its best set of tires for the last pit stop of the race.

STOP N GO (BLACK FLAGGED)

A penalty, usually assessed for speeding on pit road at the appropriate speed and stopped for one full second in the teams pit stall before returning to the track.

SUPERSPEEDWAY

A racetrack of one mile or more in distance. Road courses are included. Racers refer to three types of oval tracks. Short tracks are under one mile, intermediate tracks are at least a mile but under two miles and superspeedways are two miles and long.