NASCAR WCUP: Jerry Nadeau looking ahead to Harrah's 500

Posted By Terry Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel

March 25, 2001

* Jerry Nadeau's Texas Motor Speedway Driving Guide --

* "Texas should be another good race for us. We are taking the same car that we took to Las Vegas. At times the Vegas car was a rocket, so with a couple changes to accommodate the Texas track, this car should run well there also."

* How does the weather affect race conditions? -- The extended forecast for the Harrah's 500 is sunny and 70 degrees, great for race conditions -- not too hot and not too cold. The race car can be one of three handling conditions, mainly depending on the weather:

1. Tight -- A car is referred to as tight when the car's front tires do not turn well through the turns because they are losing traction before the rear tires. When the car is tight, it also means it is pushing -- if a driver is not careful, he can end up in the wall.

2. Loose -- A car is referred to loose when a driver goes through a turn and the rear of the car starts to fish-tail, making the driver feel as if he is losing control of the car and about to spin out. The rear tires are not sticking well enough to the track to provide enough traction.

3. Neutral -- When a race car is neutral, it is neither tight or loose, which is perfect for a driver.

If the weather is cool and cloudy this will usually make the car tight. If the track is warm and sunny it will usually make the car loose. With the weather forecast of 70 degrees and sunny this should make the car neutral -- perfect racing conditions.

Text provided by Melanie Whitfield

Editors Note: To view hundreds of hot racing photos and art, visit The Racing Photo Museum and the Visions of Speed Art Gallery.