Short Tracks vs. Super Speedways

     Before I get into this, I didn’t include road course tracks into this because, well their isn’t enough races on these types of tracks a year to be included. Short tracks or Super Speedways? Both definitely have something that the other doesn’t. Actually, beside the fact that they both feature cars turning left and 43 drivers racing for a win, they have nothing in common. Even if you claim to be the most die hard fan on the face of the earth, you have a preference of which type of track you would rather see Nascar race on. If you are still in denial about that fact, than use my sure fire way of testing yourself. Look at the race schedule for 2008. Pick your favorite short track on the schedule and your favorite Super Speedway on the schedule. After you have done so, voluntarily choose 1 of those races not to watch on TV. Whichever you are not giving up is your winner. By the way, the Daytona 500 and the night race at Bristol doesn’t count. Those are too traditional.     

     Short Tracks- Typically all of the tracks under 1 mile to just over. Nascar features short track races on tracks such as Bristol, Richmond, Martinsville, Phoenix, and New Hampshire. These tracks offer less surface area, bumper to bumper action, slower speeds, faster accelerations, and more cautions. My favorite thing about short tracks is 1) Even if your driver has a horrible car, as long as he doesn’t go too many laps down, you always feel like he has a chance of rebounding to compete for the win. 2) The smaller track offers a much tighter racing surface were no matter were the lead car is on the track, there is a race going on in front of you.     

     Super Speedway- With the majority of these tracks coming in around 2 miles in length, these monsters include tracks such Daytona, Talladega, Las Vegas, Michigan, and Atlanta. With speeds capable of reaching over 200 mph, the cars that race these track are equipped with restrictor plates. The result of this is the tight packing of cars with little separation. The restrictor plate regulates the fuel flow into the carburetor. The high speeds and big time wrecks, dubbed “The One” are capable of wiping out half of the field at once, but keep the race interesting making up for the limited racing throughout the whole field. My favorite things about these tracks are 1) They are traditional. Much of Nascars history was built on some of these tracks. This tradition also comes with some of the best fans you will find. 2) Like the short track were you feel like your driver is always in it, at the super speedways, they are. The formula of tight racing packs and probability of the “big one” gives even the worst car a fighting chance.

My Choice: Give me a Short Track Race any day of the week. A lot of this is in part to my growing up in Missouri. A state littered with the excitement of many short oval dirt tracks.