o------------------------------------------------------o | NASCAR Thunder 2004 Race Guide | | by: Stephen "Warhawk" Harris | | Covers: PlayStation2, Xbox, GameCube | | Date Created: 09.04.2003 | | Last Updated: 06.04.2012 | | Version: 2.0 | o------------------------------------------------------o --NASCAR Thunder is a registered trademark of Electronic Arts-- -=-=--=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- | Table of Contents | =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- 1. Contact.......................................................[NT2004 1 ] 2. Controls......................................................[NT2004 2 ] Part One: PlayStation2......................................[NT2004 2.1] Part Two: Xbox..............................................[NT2004 2.2] Part Three: GameCube........................................[NT2004 2.3] 3. Tracks........................................................[NT2004 3 ] Part One: Licensed Tracks...................................[NT2004 3.1] Part Two: Fantasy...........................................[NT2004 3.2] Part Three: Infield Road Courses............................[NT2004 3.3] 4. Drivers.......................................................[NT2004 4 ] Part One: Cup Drivers.......................................[NT2004 4.1] Part Two: Busch Drivers.....................................[NT2004 4.2] Part Three: Legend Drivers..................................[NT2004 4.3] Part Four: Fantasy Drivers..................................[NT2004 4.4] 5. Car Setups....................................................[NT2004 5 ] Part One: Licensed Tracks...................................[NT2004 5.1] Part Two: Fantasy...........................................[NT2004 5.2] Part Three: Infield Road Courses............................[NT2004 5.3] 6. Career Mode...................................................[NT2004 6 ] Part One: Introduction......................................[NT2004 6.1] Part Two: Revving up your Career............................[NT2004 6.2] Part Three: Starting off in Career..........................[NT2004 6.3] 7. Season Mode...................................................[NT2004 7 ] 8. Lightning Challenges..........................................[NT2004 8 ] Part One: Rookie............................................[NT2004 8.1] Part Two: Veteran...........................................[NT2004 8.2] Part Three: Legend..........................................[NT2004 8.3] Part Four: Bonus............................................[NT2004 8.4] 9. Speed Zone....................................................[NT2004 9 ] Part One: Passing...........................................[NT2004 9.1] Part Two: Drafting..........................................[NT2004 9.2] Part Three: Time Trials.....................................[NT2004 9.3] Part Four: Blocking.........................................[NT2004 9.4] 10. Thunder Plates................................................[NT2004 10 ] 11. Credits / Legal Notice........................................[NT2004 11 ] 12. Thank You.....................................................[NT2004 12 ] -=-=--=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- | 1. Contact | | [NT2004 1] | -=-=--=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- To be able to contact Stephen "Warhawk" Harris please drop me an e-mail at gamefaqswarhawk [at] gmail [dot] com, with any questions, comments or any information that you may believe that I may have missed in this guide. Please don't send any hateful mail because I will not tolerate it because it can be considered harassment, so please make sure you know what you want to ask / comment before you send the e-mail to me. Be sure to have "NASCAR Thunder 2004" in the subject so I don't accidentally delete the e-mail. This includes sending e-mails with some picture which may be inappropriate. Please if you send me any e-mails with any kind of vulgar language such as the "f" word. You may also like me on Facebook to know about any future plans I will have with guide writing and all. Any questions asked on the page I will try my best at answering to the best of my knowledge about any of the guides I have done in the past, and yes even if it's a question on that game I done one for. Even if it is to ask me what I plan of doing next and all. http://www.facebook.com/WarhawkFAQs -------- Donation -------- Also,If you found this walkthrough useful and would like to make a small donation on PayPal. The e-mail is fpr that is warhawkfaqs@ymail.com and I will not force anyone to donate but is up to the reader if they choose to. -=-=--=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- | 2. Controls | | [NT2004 2] | =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- | Part One: PlayStation2 Controls | | [NT2004 2.1] | =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= o------------------o | In-Game Controls | |------------------|----------------------------------o | Control | Action | |------------------|----------------------------------| | Square | Brake | | Triangle | Reverse | | X | Throttle | | Circle | Change Camera | | L1 | Gear Down | | R1 | Gear Up | | R2 | Share Draft / Cancel Share Draft | | L2 | Intimidate / Cancel Intimidate | | L3 | Toggle HUD | | Left Analog | Steering | o-----------------------------------------------------o o-----------------o | Menu Controls | |-----------------|----------------------------------o | Control | Action | |-----------------|----------------------------------| | D-Pad Up / Down | Choose | | X | Accept | | Triangle | Back | | L1 | Driver Stats / Track Info | o----------------------------------------------------o -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- | Part Two: Xbox Controls | | [NT2004 2.2] | =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= o------------------o | In-Game Controls | |------------------| |------------------|----------------------------------o | Control | Action | |------------------|----------------------------------| | o-----------------o | Menu Controls | |-----------------| |-----------------|----------------------------------o | Control | Action | |-----------------|----------------------------------| | -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- | Part Three: GameCube Controls | | [NT2004 2.3] | =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= o-----------------o | Menu Controls | |-----------------| |-----------------|----------------------------------o | Control | Action | |-----------------|----------------------------------| | o-----------------o | Menu Controls | |-----------------| |-----------------|----------------------------------o | Control | Action | |-----------------|----------------------------------| | -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= | 3. Tracks | | [NT2004 3] | =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- | Part One: Licensed Tracks | | [NT2004 3.1] | =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Atlanta Location: Hampton, GA Banking on Straightaways: 5* Distance: 1.54 miles Back Stretch: 1,320 ft. Track Type: Speedway Banking in Turns: 24* Front Stretch: 1,415 ft. Website: www.atlantamotorspeedway.com Inaugral Race: 1960 Seating Capacity: Events: MBNA America 400 Winner's Purse: $150 K (Bass Pro) Georgia 500 $233 K (Georgia 500) Atlanta 500 $138 K (Atlanta 500) Extended Info: -------------- Atlanta Motor Speedway is known as the "Fastest Speedway" on the NASCAR circuit. After its reconfiguration back in 1997 it became one of the fastest on the speedway, and there aren't many drivers who have had the chance to win on both the old and new configuration of this 1.5 mile track. One of them being Bobby Labonte who won at the old configuration once and five times on the new. Alright let's get to how to get around at one of the fastest tracks on the NASCAR circuit. Strategy: --------- As you come out of turn 4 you should be around 170 - 175 MPH as you exit the turn towards the start/finish line. As you go down the frontstretch you should be able to reach around 194 - 195 MPH before entering turns 1 - 2. When you go through turns 1 - 2 be sure to let off the gas before enter in the turns to around and keep your speed steady to around 170 - 173 MPH through the turns. As you exit turn 2 you want to get near the wall but not real close to where you end up scraping the wall and whatnot. Before you enter turns 3 - 4 your speed should reach to around 190 MPH before entering those turns. Just like you did in turns 1 - 2 let off the brake a bit until you get down to around 168 - 172 MPH but a tip that I can give is to keep it steady on the brake not just through turns 3 - 4 but as well as turns 1 - 2. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Bristol Location: Bristol, Tennessee Front Straight: 650 ft. Distance: .533 miles Back Straight: 650 ft. Track Type: Short Track Website: www.bristolmotorspeedway.com Banking in Turns: 36* Seating Capacity: 147,000 Banking on Straightaways: 16* Winner's Purse: $136 K (Food City 500) Inaugral Race: 1961 $189 K (Sharpie 500) Events: Food City 500 Sharpie 500 Extended Info: -------------- Bristol Motor Speedway one of the short tracks on the Winston Cup Schedule and known as the World's Fastest Half-Mile Oval. At this track you can turn in 15 second lap times, but until the 2003 season Ryan Newman turned in a track record for the track of a lap time under 15 seconds. Many things had happened throughout the years at Bristol, like for example the first race at this track 42 cars started the race but only 19 of them managed to be there at the finish and even back in 1999 the night race at Bristol when Dale Earnhardt shoved Terry Labonte out of his way on the last lap to take the victory. Strategy: --------- Let's get to the point to how to get around this short but fast race track. As you race out of turn 4 you want to be around 109 - 112 if you manage to get out of turn 4 at those speeds. As you go down the frontstretch across the start/finish line and before you enter turns 1 - 2 you might be able to reach to around 140 - 142 maybe a few MPH under that. As you brake to enter the turns 1 - 2 slow down to around 105 - 112 MPH. As you exit turn 2 to head down the backstretch just like any other track be sure not to hit the wall or you'll loose speed. As you go down the backstretch you should get to around 138 MPH before braking for turns 3 - 4. When you go through turns 3 - 4, you want to be around 105 - 112 through the turns. As you exit turn 4 do the same as you did on the backstretch but this time to the start/finish line. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ California Location: Fontana California Banking on Back Straight: 3* Distance: 2.0 miles Front Straight: 3,100 ft. Track Type: Oval Back Straight: 2,500 ft. Banking in Turns: 14* Website: www.californiaspeedway.com Banking on Front Straight: 11* Seating Capacity: 92,000 Inaugral Race: 1997 Winner's Purse: $195 K (Auto Club 500) Event: NAPA Auto Parts 500 $173 K (California 500) California 500 Extended Info: -------------- The NASCAR Winston Cup series made their debut at this track back in 1997. Jeff Gordon went on to win the inaugural race at this 2 mile track, but there is one thing that some people don't know about this track. Where the track was built, where an old steel factory used to sit and was the place of the final scene of the 1984 film "The Terminator". This is one track where fuel milage may play into affect, and the drivers may worry if they're going to have enough gas to make it to the end of the race. There isn't really that much that has happened at this track to include more information, since the track has been only around for six years. Strategy: --------- California is a track with not very much banking which allows for long green flag racing. As you exit out of turn 4 you should be around 169 - 173 MPH as you head towards the start/finish line. As you race down the frontstretch you can be able to reach around 200 MPH before entering turns 1 - 2. When you start to brake into turns 1 - 2 you should be around 170 - 172 MPH, then as you exit turn 2 be sure to race up near the wall as you head down the backstretch. You will reach to around 197 MPH before braking for turns 3 - 4, and when you enter turns 3 - 4 drop your speed to around 169 - 172 MPH. As you exit turn 4 you should be around 175 MPH and gaining as you exit turn 4 racing to the start/finish line. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Chicagoland Location: Joliet, Illinois Front Straight: 2,400 ft. Distance: 1.5 miles Back Straight: 1,700 ft. Track Type: Speedway Website: www.chicagolandspeedway.com Banking in Turns: 18* Seating Capacity: 75,000 Banking on Front Stretch: 11* Winner's Purse: $162 K (Tropicana 400) Banking on Back Stretch: 5* $162 K (Chicagoland) Inaugral Race: 2001 Event: Tropicana 400 Chicagoland 400 Extended Info: -------------- Chicagoland Speedway is one of the newer tracks that the drivers are still new to. Only three races at this track, it seemed that Kevin Harvick had a hold over this track winning the first two races at this track, at least until 2003 with a few laps to go he ran out of gas and Ryan Newman went on to win the race. In the 2002 race Kevin Harvick spun early but he managed to go on to win the race after pitting under caution to gamble on fuel. Strategy: --------- Chicagoland is almost similar to Las Vegas, but at Chicago the speeds seem to be a bit higher than at Vegas. As you exit out of turn 4 you should be around 169 - 171 MPH as you head down the frontstretch to the start/finish line. As you race down the frontstretch you should reach a speed around 195 MPH before heading into turns 1 - 2. As you brake to head in turns 1 - 2 slow down to around 165 - 170 as you head through the turns, and as you exit out of turn 2 slide up by the wall but not too close though. As you race down the backstretch, reaching a speed to around 192 MPH before heading through turns 3 - 4. When you brake to go through turns 3 - 4 to around 165 - 170 MPH through turns 3 - 4. Now as you exit turn 4 around 170 or better to the start/finish line. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Darlington Location: Darlington, South Carolina Front Stretch: 1,229 ft. Distance: 1.366 miles Back Stretch: 1,229 ft. Track Type: Superspeedway Website: www.darlingtonraceway.com Banking in Turns: 25* Seating Capacity: 65,000 Banking on Straights: 2* Winner's Purse: $214 K (Dode Dealers) Inaugral Race: 1950 $181 K (Southern 500) Events: Carolina Dodge Dealers 400 $145 K (Darlington) Mountain Dew Southern 500 Darlington 400 Extended Info: -------------- Darlington Raceway the "Granddaddy of Superspeedways". Opened in 1950 and has hosted a NASCAR event since the Inaugural Race back in 1950. The second race "Southern 500" has been on Labor Day weekend until 2003 which was the last year that the "Southern 500" would be hosted on Labor Day weekend. Throughout the last Southern 500 on Labor Day weekend it seemed that Ryan Newman would be go on to win the last Southern 500 hosted on Labor Day weekend but due to hitting the engine kill switch during a pitstop costed him eight laps. With that happening it seemed that Greg Biffle would also have a shot at winning the race but then due to power steering failure took that chance away from him winning the race. It all then came down to who would end up winning the race, but it was a matter of WHO? Fortunately a caution late in the race and all the leaders came into the pit and with a lightning fast pitstop of 13.11 seconds Terry Labonte's crew got him out in the lead. As they went back to the green flag Terry Labonte went on to the remaing laps of the final Southern 500 on Labor Day weekend and his first win since the Texas race back on March 28, 1999. In the spring race in 2003 at this legendary track Ricky Craven beat Kurt Busch to win the race by mere inches. Darlington has earned the nickname "Too Tough To Tame" which is self explanatory because it can be a tough race track to get the hang of. Don't be surprised if you end up getting your Darlington stripe, what I mean by Darlington stripe is when you scrape the wall. Strategy: --------- Alright let's get to the strategy of how to get around this legendary track. When you exit turn 4 heading onto the frontstretch you want to be around 145 - 150 MPH heading towards the start/finish line. When you head down the fronstretch to turns 1 - 2 of a speed around 180 MPH before entering turns 1 - 2. As you go through turns 1 - 2 slow down to around 146 - 158 MPH by the time you exit out of turn 2. As you race down the backstretch be up by the wall but be sure not to try getting your Darlington stripe. Before you head in turns 3 - 4 you should be able to get a speed of around 188 MPH. As you brake to go through turns 3 - 4 slow down to around 138 - 158 MPH as you come out of turn 4 to the start/finish line. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Daytona Location: Daytona Beach, Florida Front Straight: 3,800 ft. Distance: 2.5 miles Back Straight: 3,400 ft. Track Type: Superspeedway Website: www.daytonaintlspeedway.com Banking in Turns: 31* Winner's Purse: $1.40M (Daytona 500) Banking on Tri-Oval: 18* $185 K (Pepsi 400) Banking on Straight: 3* $200 K (Bud Shootout) Inaugral Race: 1959 Seating Capacity: 168,000 Events: The Shootout (better known as "Bud Shootout") Daytona 500 Pepsi 400 Extended Info: -------------- Daytona International Speedway is one of the most famous tracks on the NASCAR circuit. If you manage to get a win at this track you are put on a list that makes any driver feel special winning a race at this 2.5 Mile Superspeedway. There are quite a few drivers who managed to win the biggest race of them all the Daytona 500, and some of those drivers include Bobby & Davey Allison, Richard Petty, Dale Earnhardt, Ward Burton, Darrell & Michael Waltrip along with a few other drivers like Bill Elliott. This track seems to be known wheter or not you're a race fan of any type of racing, no matter if it's NASCAR, IRL, Motorcycle, F1. Many people have heard about this track. "The King" Richard Petty won the Daytona 500 an amazing 7 times with the last one coming in 1979 when he went on to win his 7th and final championship of his career. With the Restrictor Plates on the cars it limits the car of it's top speed that it can obtain when at tracks like this. Before there were restrictor plates cars could reach 200+ MPH while racing at this 2.5 Mile track. That all ended during a race at Talladega when Bobby Allison's car flipped in the air and went into the grandstands by the start/finish line. After that NASCAR has been using restrictor plates at tracks like Daytona and Talladega. Strategy: --------- Let's get on with on how to get around the Daytona International Speedway. As you come out of turn 4 you want to be around 181 MPH as you go onto the frontstretch towards the start/finish line. As you head down the frontstretch you should be able to reach around 188 MPH before going into turns 1 - 2. At Daytona you don't need to brake going through the turns at a track like this. All you want to do is be down by the yellow line as you go through turns 1 - 2 at around 182 - 183 MPH through the turns. As you exit turn 2 you want to be up by the wall as you go down the backstretch reaching a speed to around 188 MPH before going in turns 1 - 2. You want to go through turns 3 - 4 like you did when you went through turns 1 - 2 at around 183 MPH. Once you exit turn 4 you should be around 185 by the exit of the turn heading to the start/finish line. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Daytona Beach **HISTORICAL TRACK** Location: Daytona Beach, Florida Website: n/a Distance: 2.0 Miles Seating Capacity: 136,000 Track Type: Speedway Winner's Purse: $157 K Banking in Turns: 15* Inaugural Race: 1948 Final Race: 1958 Event: Daytona Beach 500 Extended Info: -------------- Strategy: --------- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Dover Downs Location: Dover, Delaware Front Stretch: 1,076 ft. Distance: 1.0 miles Back Stretch: 1,076 ft. Track Type: Speedway Website: www.doverdowns.com Banking in Turns: 24* Seating Capacity: 140,000 Banking on Straights: 9* Winner's Purse: $166 K (Delaware 400) Inaugural Race: 1969 $168 K (Armed Forces) Events: Delaware 400 $183 K (Dover 400) MBNA Armed Forces 400 Dover 400 Extended Info: -------------- Dover Downs is probably one of the toughest tracks on the NASCAR schedule, due to that the driver's have to focus both physically and mentally to keep the car away from the wall. NASCAR started racing at Dover back in 1969 but this track wasn't always been like it is today. Back then it was just a paved track but in 1995 they paved it with concrete along with making the banking steeper. Kyle Petty went on to win the first race at Dover with the concrete surface and so far is his last win that he got. With the steep banking in the turns makes this track tough to keep your car off the wall and down in the turns so you can have a chance to win at this 1 mile concrete track, this track has earned the nickname of "The Monster Mile". Strategy: --------- Alright let's get to how to get around the track known as "The Monster Mile" Dover Downs. As you race coming out of turn 4 you want to be around 150 - 153 MPH as you come off onto the frontstretch. As you go down the frontstretch you will reach around 172 MPH before you brake to enter turns 1 - 2. When you slow down to go through turns 1 - 2 brake to around 150 - 153 MPH to get through turns 1 - 2. As you exit turn 2 slide safely up by the wall as you go down the backstretch. You will reach around 174 MPH before entering turns 3 - 4, and when you go through turns 3 - 4 slow down to around 150 - 153 as you go through turns 3 - 4, be sure on the exit of turn 4 to get on the gas and hit it. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Homestead-Miami Location: Homestead, Florida Front Stretch: 1,760 ft. Distance: 1.5 miles Back Stretch: 1,760 ft. Track Type: Speedway Website: www.homesteadmiamispeedway.com Banking in Turns: 20* Seating Capacity: 72,000 Banking on Front Straight: 3* Winner's Purse: $312 K Inaugural Race: 1999 Event: Ford 400 Extended Info: -------------- This is still a fairly new track to the NASCAR Winston Cup series, but this year this track has gotten a facelift. Instead of having 6* in the turns they have added an extra 14* to the turns making it 20* through the turns which should make the race more interesting now. When the Winston Cup series made their debut at this track Tony Stewart went on to win the first two races there knapped in 2001 when Stewart was penalized for going through the grass on the way to pit road, and Bill Elliott went on to win that race. The drivers don't have the notes like some of the other tracks to look back for this track especially with the added banking in the turns. Strategy: --------- Let's get straight to the point on how to get around the reconfigured version of Homestead-Miami. As you come out of turn 4 you should be around 156 - 160 MPH coming out of turn 4 onto the frontstretch. As you come onto the frontstretch to the start/finish line, before heading into turns 1 - 2. Before heading into turns 1 - 2 you should be able to reach around 192 MPH, then as you head into turns 1 - 2 slow down to around 160 - 167 MPH. When you exit out of turn 2 head up by the wall to ensure a good lap [unless you hit the wall]. As you go down the backstretch you should be able to reach around 196 MPH before heading into turns 3 - 4. When you go through turns 3 - 4 be sure to slow down to around 156 - 160 MPH. You might be able to get around 163 MPH by the exit of turn 4 back onto the frontstretch. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Homestead-Miami *2002 Edition* Location: Homestead, Florida Front Stretch: 1,760 ft. Distance: 1.5 miles Back Stretch: 1,760 ft. Track Type: Speedway Website: www.homesteadmiamispeedway.com Banking in Turns: Seating Capacity: 72,000 Banking on Front Straight: Winner's Purse: $319 K Inaugural Race: 1999 Event: Ford 400 Extended Info: -------------- Like I said for the other Homestead-Miami that this is a fairly new track, but this version is that from the 2002 season with the 6* banking in the turns. With the low banking in the turns it allows the long green flag runs but in the 2002 season was the last year that NASCAR raced at this track with the 6* banking. A couple championships have been decided at this 1.5 mile speedway, for example the Dale Jarrett had to finish 8th or better to clinch the 1999 championship. When the Winston Cup series made their debut at this track Tony Stewart had a hold over this track by winning the first two races here in both 1999 and 2000. In the 2001 season it looked like that Stewart would win at this flat track once again but a late decision to go through the grass instead of entering where he should've. He was penalized for doing so and costed him that shot for three wins in a row at Homestead. With that happening Bill Elliott battled with teammate Casey Atwood to get the win at Homstead. Strategy: --------- At the 2002 version of Homestead-Miami you can't go as fast you can at the reconfigured version. As you come out of turn 4 you want to be around 135 - 145 MPH as you set up to go down the frontstretch. Before heading into turns 1 - 2 you should be able to get up to around 192 MPH and as you head through turns 1 - 2 you want to be around 130 - 140 MPH. As you exit turn 2 at 140 or better heading down the backstretch you should be able to reach 192 MPH just like when you were on the frontstretch before entering turns 3 - 4. You want to take turns 3 - 4 like turns 1 - 2 around 130 - 140 MPH, and then back onto the fronstretch. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Indianapolis Location: Speedway, Indiana Front Stretch: 3,300 ft. Distance: 2.5 miles Back Stretch: 3,300 ft. Track Type: Superspeedway Website: www.brickyard.com Banking in Turns: 12* Seating Capacity: 250,000 Banking on Straights: 9* Winner's Purse: $428 K Inaugural Race: 1994 Event: Brickyard 400 Extended Info: -------------- Indianapolis Motor Speedway is a 2.5 mile rectangular track that has been around for over a hundred years. A lot of history has been built up at this famous track, from the races at this track in the IRL's biggest race "Indianapolis 500". NASCAR made their debut at this track in 1994, and with five laps to go Jeff Gordon passed Ernie Irvan to win the inaugural race at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway winning the first Brickyard 400. The reason that it's called the brickyard is because when this track was built they laid out 3.2 MILLION BRICKS but they later paved over the bricks. There's still a part of the bricks showing at the start/finish line today, as a reminder of the past. Strategy: --------- As you exit out of turn 4 you should be around 168 - 170 MPH as you head onto the frontstretch. As you go down the frontstretch you want to try to get around 207 MPH before entering turn 1. When go through turn 1 you want to be around 164 - 166 MPH going through turn 1, but there'll be a bit of a short stretch before turn 2 in which you can gain a bit of speed but slow down to around 164 - 166 MPH through turn 2. As you race down the backstretch it's quite long before you get to turn 3, but before you enter turn 3 you might be able to reach around 206 MPH before you go about entering turn 3. As you go through turn 3 it's just like when you did in turns 1 - 2 around 165 - 167 MPH then you'll have a small stretch before turn 4, and the same speed for turn 4 165 - 167 MPH before going back onto the frontstretch. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Infineon Location: Sonama, California Seating Capacity: 98,000 Distance: 2.0 miles Winner's Purse: $139 K (Dodge/SaveMart) Track Type: Road Course $139 K (Sonoma 350K) Website: www.infineonraceway.com Inaugural Race: 1989 Event: Dodge/Save Mart 350 Extended Info: -------------- Infineon Raceway is one of two road courses on the NASCAR Winston Cup schedule. A few changes went on with this track since the inaugural race back in 1989, for example, this track used to have two hairpin turns but now it only has the one hairpin turn which is the last turn. At the inaugural race here Ricky Rudd went on to win at this track, but tracks like these are the ones that can really show off a driver's talents. To be able to win at this track has to be total concentration as well as focusing on how to get through each of the turns very well here. Strategy: --------- When you race at this track you want to have good acceleration because that is one of the keys to doing well at a track like Infineon Raceway. As you come out of turn 10 you want to be around 30 - 45 MPH going through the hairpin hugging the turn but not too much because you don't want to hit the tires, as you head to the start/finish line. As you cross the line there'll be a small turn to the left [turn 1] around 120 MPH as you approach turn 2 you want to be around 98 - 101 MPH going through turn 2. Turn 3 isn't that far off because you'll have to slow down to around 65 - 70 MPH going through turn 3 then onto a small stretch to turn 4. Turn 4 slow down to around 88 - 92 MPH and turn 5 isn't far off from turn 5. To take turn 5 well slow down to around 65 - 70 MPH as you go down another stretch to turn 6. Before you approach turn 6 you want to start slowing down just a few feet before entering turn 6 and go through the turn at least 75 - 83MPH while the next turn, turn 7 will come quickly. This is one of the tight turns at this 1.949 mile road course in which you have to slow down to around 45 - 50 MPH to go through this turn. Next you'll have to take on the ESSES at around 108 - 112 MPH through those set of turns, before taking on turn 8. As you approach turn 8 you want to slow down to around 128 MPH going through the turn and then have to set up for turn 9 at around 106 - 112 MPH. After you get through turn 9 you will now have to get set up for turn 10 [last turn] which is a hairpin. You will have to slow down just a few feet before pit road, to around 30 - 45 MPH as you go through turn 10. Once you have gone through the last turn now it's time to head back to the start/finish line. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Kansas Location: Kansas City, Kansas Banking on Front Stretch: 10* Distance: 1.5 miles Banking on Back Stetch: 5* Track Type: Speedway Website: www.kasasspeedway.com Banking in Turns: 15* Seating Capacity: 78,000 Inaugural Race: 2001 Winner's Purse: $254 K (Banquet 400) Event: Banquet 400 $155 K (Kansas 400) Kansas 400 Extended Info: -------------- Kanas Speedway has been around as long as Chicagoland has been, and is similar to Chicago. There isn't really much history built up at this track, like some tracks like Las Vegas or maybe even Homestead-Miami. The first two races Jeff Gordon ended up winning but in the 2003 race at Kansas, Bill Elliott had the dominate car but the only problem was that "Awesome" Bill couldn't catch up to Ryan Newman in the closing laps to win the race. After the race Elliott was really frustrated that he didn't get the win especially when he had the best car in the race. Strategy: --------- Kansas is a 1.5 mile tri oval speedway that is similar to Chicago but you probably won't be able to go through the turns like you can at Chicago. As you race out of turn 4 you will want to be around 168 - 170 MPH as you go down the frontstretch to the start/finish line. You will reach around 197 MPH before entering turns 1 - 2 and as you go through turns 1 - 2 you want to be around 166 - 170 MPH. As you exit out of turn 2 you want to race up by the wall, as you go down the backstretch. You should be able to reach up to around 189 MPH before entering turns 3 - 4. When you go through turns 3 - 4 you want to be around 163 - 170 MPH through those turns because if you go around 165 - 170 MPH you will most likely hit the wall before you exit turn 4. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Las Vegas Location: Las Vegas, Nevada Front Stretch: 2,275 ft. Distance: 1.5 miles Back Stretch: 1,572 ft. Track Type: Speedway Website: www.lvms.com Banking in Turns: 12* Seating Capacity: 22,000 Banking on Front Stretch: 8* Winner's Purse: $267 K (UAW-Damilier) Banking on Back Stretch: 5* $182 K (Las Vegas 400) Inaugural Race: 1997 Event: UAW-Damilier Crysler 400 Las Vegas 400 Extended Info: -------------- Las Vegas is a flat 1.5 mile track that seems to be dominated by the Roush cars over since its inaugural race back in 1997 with Mark Martin winning the inaugural race along with Jeff Burton winning there and Matt Kenseth winning at this track while going for his first championship. It seems that the Roush drivers know how to get around this track mighty well showing that they know how to win here in the past. Strategy: --------- Like I said this is a flat 1.5 mile track that may be a bit tricky getting good lap times at but it's knowing how to get good speed through the flat turns. As you come out of turn 4 you want to be around 158 - 160 MPH as you go down the frontstretch to the line. As you go down the frontstretch you should be able to reach around 196 MPH before heading into turns 1 - 2. When you get ready to go through turns 1 - 2 you want to slow down to around 148 - 160 MPH to get onto the backstretch. As you get on the backstretch get by the wall as you go towards turns 3 - 4. You should be able to reach around 189 MPH before you head into turns 3 - 4 but when you brake to go through turns 3 - 4 slow down to around 148 - 160 MPH going through turns 3 - 4 as you head back onto the frontstretch heading to the line. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Lowe's (Charlotte) Location: Concord, North Carolina Front Stretch: 1,952 ft. Distance: 1.5 miles Back Stretch: 1,360 ft. Track Type: Speedway Website: www.lowesmotorspeedway.com Banking in Turns: 24* Winner's Purse: $1.00M (THE WINSTON) Banking on Front Stretch: 5* $258 K (Coca-Cola 600) Inaugural Race: 1960 $196 K (UAW-GM 500) Seating Capacity: Events: The All-Star (better known as "The Winston") Coca-Cola 600 UAW-GM Quality 500 Extended Info: -------------- Lowe's Motor Speedway a 1.5 mile speedway which is similar to Texas and Atlanta. A few drivers got their first career win at this track in the Coca- Cola 600 with the names of Bobby Labonte and Matt Kenseth who got their first win in the longest race of the year. This was the first track to focus on spectator comfort and which it shows but many of the teams are located within the area to give it a hometown feel for some of the drivers. Strategy: -------- A lap at Lowe's Motor Speedway can be fast around this 1.5 mile D-shaped oval. As you head out of turn 4 be careful that you don't let the car get loose coming out of the turn. You want to exit turn 4 at around 167 - 170 MPH heading down the frontstretch towards the start/finish line. You may be able to reach around 199 - 200 MPH before heading into turns 1 - 2 and as you do brake to around 170 - 173 through turns 1 - 2 as you go onto the backstretch. As you race down the backstretch you should be able to reach around 196 - 200 MPH before you go through turns 3 - 4, and as you brake to go through turns 3 - 4 slow down to around 165 - 170 MPH but like I said for exiting turn 4 be sure not to get loose coming out of the turn because you really don't want that to happen. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Martinsville Location: Martinsville, Virginia Front Stretch: 800 ft. Distance: .526 miles Back Stretch: 800 ft. Track Type: Short Track Website: www.martinsvillespeedway.com Banking in Turns: 12* Seating Capacity: Inaugural Race: 1953 Winner's Purse: $170 K (Virginia 500) Events: Virginia 500 $130 K (Subway 500) Subway 500 $150 K (Martinsville) Martinsville 500 Extended Info: -------------- Martinsville Speedway is another short track on the NASCAR schedule where the turn "Rubbin's Racing" applies. The most common reason for being is with the heavy braking in the turns that can wear the brakes real good by the end of the race. During his career Darrell Waltrip scored a high of eleven wins that this half-maile short track, while Bobby Allison who won at every track during his career except for this track. The NASCAR Winston Cup series has been racing at this track since 1953 from racing on the dirt version of this track all the way to how it is today. Strategy: --------- When racing at Martinsville you don't want to wait til around the last minute to brake but you want to brake at a certain point of the track so you can go about getting through the turns with ease. As you come out of turn 4 you should be around 65 - 75 MPH as you exit turn 4 onto the frontstretch to the start/finish line. Since both stretches are only 800 ft. you won't have much time before you will have to brake again for turns 1 - 2. Use the paint on the walls to help you know when to brake for the entering of the turns. For example where it has NASCAR Racing Cup Series ends to start braking for turns 1 - 2. Before you start to brake you should be able to reach around 120 MPH and once you get to the end of where it has NASCAR Racing Cup series to brake for turns 1 - 2 to around 65 - 75 MPH through turns 1 - 2. As you exit off of turn 2 going down the backstretch, but you'll have to do like you done on the front stretch. The only problem is that you'll have to use a different paint on the wall as a marker to slow down for turns 3 - 4. Just like on the frontstretch you should be able to reach around 120 - 125 MPH, before going into turns 3 - 4. Look for part of the concrete wall in black and use the end of that as a marker to slow down for turns 3 - 4. Like in turns 1 - 2 slow down to around 58 - 65 MPH but should be able to gain a bit of speed as you exit out of turn 4 down the frontstretch again. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Michigan Location: Brooklyn, Michigan Front Stretch: 3,600 ft. Distance: 2.0 miles Back Stretch: 2,242 ft. Track Type: Speedway Website: www.mispeedway.com Banking in Turns: 18* Seating Capacity: 136,373 Banking on Front Stretch: 12* Winner's Purse: $240 K (Sirius 400) Banking on Back Stretch: 5* $157 K (Marketplace) Inaugural Race: 1969 $148 K (Motor City) Events: Sirius Satellite Radio 400 GFS Marketplace 400 Motor City 400 Extended Info: -------------- Michigan International Speedway is a 2.0 mile track that has more than one groove that you can race through the turns. Some great moments happened that this track located not far from the Motor City Capital Detroit, Michigan. For example Ernie Irvan crashed during a race where it almost took his life and a few years later he managed to win at the track that he nearly died at. It seems whenever the second race at this track is on August 18, Dale Jarrett seems to get the win at this track particularly on August 18, 2002, Jarrett spun on lap 11 but made a pitstop and then went on to win the race. Strategy: --------- Michigan International Speedway isn't a hard track to get the hang of because with the 18* in the turns it can produce some exciting and/or fast laps at this 2.0 mile track. As you race out of turn 4 you want to be around 168 - 173 MPH as you head onto the frontstretch to the start/finish line. Before heading into turns 1 - 2 you should be able to reach around 202 MPH but as you get ready into head into turns 1 - 2 you want to slow down to around 175 - 180 MPH through turns 1 - 2 going onto the backstretch. When you head down the backstretch sling up near the wall but before you enter turns 3 - 4 you should reach around 202 MPH before heading into turns 3 - 4. As you go through turns 3 - 4 slow down to around 168 - 175 MPH going through turns 3 - 4 as you head back to the start/finish line. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ New Hampshire Location: Loudon, New Hampshire Front Stretch: 1,500 ft. Distance: 1.058 miles Back Stretch: 1,500 ft. Track Type: Speedway Website: www.nhis.com Banking in Turns: 12* Seating Capacity: 91,000 Banking on Straights: 2* Winner's Purse: $238 K (New England) Inaugural Race: 1993 $203 K (New Hampshire) Events: New England 300 New Hampshire 300 Extended Info: -------------- New Hampshire International Speedway hasn't been around for that long. When they started racing here back in 1993 they had to use restrictor plates due to the fact on how the engines were going through the long straights at this track. They don't need those plates with the engine kill switch, just in case something is about to happen with the engine the drivers can use that to shut the engine. This track has become known as the "Magic Mile" but why is called the "Magic Mile" I still don't even know why it's called that. Strategy: --------- New Hampshire is a track that is similar to Martinsville but the only thing that makes this track different from Martinsville is that this track is paved while Martinsville is paved with concrete. With the relatively long straights at this track you don't want to get a blown engine before entering the turns because nobody likes getting a blown engine that can result in a DNF. As you come out of turn 4 you want to be around 106 - 110 as you come out of turn 4 onto the frontstretch to the line. Before you head into turns 1 - 2 you should be able to reach around 162 MPH before heading through turns 1 - 2. As you slow down to take turns 1 - 2 you want to slow down to around 95 - 115 MPH but the 95 - 99 MPH from turn 1 to turn 2 but get back on the gas around the middle to exit of turn 2. Now you are going down the backstretch which you want to slide up by the wall going down the backstretch heading to turns 3 - 4. Just like the frontstretch you should be able to reach around 162 - 164 MPH before heading into turns 3 - 4. As you approach turns 3 - 4 you want to slow down to around 95 - 115 MPH but you'll want to do the same as mentioned on how to take turns 1 - 2 as you go through the turns back onto the frontstretch onto the frontstretch again. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ North Carolina Location: Rockingham, North Carolina Front Stretch: 1,300 ft. Distance: 1.018 miles Back Stretch: 1,367 ft. Track Type: Short Track Website: www.northcarolinaspeedway.com Banking in Turns 1&2: 22* Seating Capacity: 60,113 Banking in Turns 3&4: 25* Winner's Purse: $157 K (Subway 400) Banking on Straights: 8* $157 K (Pop Secret 400) Inaugural Race: 1963 $175 K (Rockingham 400) Events: Subway 400 Pop Secret Microwave Popcorn 400 Rockingham 400 Extended Info: -------------- North Carolina Speedway is a 1.018 mile track that can be fast but you have to be careful in the turns or the wall will bite you coming out of the turns especially in turn 2. This track is known as "The Rock" because it's located in Rockingham, North Carolina, and a few drivers have got their first career win at this track such as Ward Burton, Donnie Allison, Johnny Benson. Strategy: --------- Since this track is a little tricky particularly that you can get around this track fast except that you'll have to be careful getting out of the turns such as turn 2. As you race out of turn 4 you want to be around 136 - 140 MPH heading onto the frontstretch towards the line. Before slowing down for turns 1 - 2 you should be able to reach around 173 MPH before entering turns 1 - 2. As you brake to go through turns 1 - 2 you want to slow down to around 129 - 137 MPH as you reach the backstretch up by the wall. As you go down the backstretch you will reach a speed of around 170 MPH before heading into turns 3 - 4. As you get ready to brake to enter turns 3 - 4 you want to slow down to around 130 - 144 MPH as you go through the turns as you head back onto the fronstretch towards the line. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Phoenix Location: Avondale, Arizona Front Stretch: 1,179 ft. Distance: 1.0 miles Back Stretch: 1,551 ft. Track Type: Speedway Website: www.phoenixintlspeedway.com Banking in Turns 1&2: 11* Seating Capacity: 76,812 Banking in Turns 3&4: 9* Winner's Purse: $213 K Banking on Straights: 0* Inaugural Race: 1988 Event: Checker Auto Parts 500k Extended Info: -------------- Phoenix International Raceway is a 1 mile track with not very much banking but don't let that fool you because racing at this track can be fast. There was an interesting feet that went on back during the race for the 1996 championship. Terry Labonte was chasing down his second championship that year and during one of the practice sessions the throttle hung and the car went into the wall in turn 1. Terry suffered from a broken hand after that crash but it didn't stop him from going on to try to win the championship. He managed to fight to win his second championship with a broken hand. Strategy: --------- When you race at Phoenix don't expect not to run fast here because this sure can be a fun place to race at. As you race out of turn 4 you want to be around 125 - 130 MPH coming out of turn 4 onto the frontstretch towards the start/finish line. Before you head off into turn 1 - 2 you should reach around 164 MPH before going through turns 1 - 2. As you brake to go through turns 1 - 2 slow down to around 110 - 130 MPH as you go about exiting turn 2, heading down the backstretch. When you go down the backstretch don't slow down when you go around that bit of a turn because you won't end up hitting the wall. Before you head off into turns 3 - 4 you should be able to reach around 166 MPH. As you get ready to brake heading into turns 3 - 4 you want to slow down to around 115 - 138 MPH going through the turns but the 138 MPH should be your exiting speed as you exit turn 4. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Pocono Location: Long Pond, Pennsylvania Banking on Straights: 1* Distance: 2.5 Miles Front Stretch: 3,740 ft. Track Type: Super Speedway Back Stretch: 3,055 ft. Banking in Turn 1: 14* Website: www.poconoraceway.com Banking in Turn 2: 8* Seating Capacity: 90,000 Banking in Turn 3: 6* Winner's Purse: $189 K (Pocono 500) Inaugural Race: 1974 $189 K (Pennsylvania) Events: Pocono 500 Pennsylvania 500 Extended Info: -------------- Pocono Raceway is a triangular shaped track which is the only track with only three turns. Crew Chiefs struggle with this track with car setups due to the three turns and all three of the straightaways are different lengths. Getting around this track may be tough at first but its turn 2 that can be tricky for some of the drivers who have or have had raced at this track. Of course speed is one of the things that you can concentrate on with this track but you don't want to get too much or you'll drift up high in the turns and most likely hit the wall. Strategy: --------- Racing at this 2.5 mile triangular track may require a bit of speed but you have to be sure to slow down good enough through the turns to be real good at this particular track. As you come out of turn 3 you want to be around 155 - 165 MPH as you exit turn 3 onto the frontstretch. The frontstretch you can gain a lot of speed if you have a good car setup for Pocono to reach a good amount of speed before entering turn 1. Before entering turn 1 you will reach around 210 MPH but you may start to brake at the 2 or 1 marker to get through turn 1. You want to try to slow down to around 140 - 160 MPH through turn 1 as you go onto the second stretch as you approach turn 2 "Tunnel Turn". Your speed should reach around 205 but I wouldn't try to get up that far because it may be a bit too fast but when you go through turn 2 "Tunnel Turn" you want to slow down to around 145 - 160 MPH to get through turn 2. Now you'll go down the third stretch which is the shortest stretch on this track, you will reach around 183 MPH before heading through turn 3 at this unique track. As you go through turn 3 you want to be around 145 - 165 MPH going through turn 3 back on your way to the frontstretch. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Richmond Location: Richmond, Virginia Front Stretch: 1,290 ft. Distance: .750 miles Back Stretch: 860 ft. Track Type: Short Track Website: www.richmondracewaycomplex.com Banking in Turns: 14* Seating Capacity: 100,500 Banking on Front Stretch: 8* Winner's Purse: $150 K (Pontiac 400) Banking on Back Stretch: 2* $171 K (Rock'n'Roll) Inaugural Race: 1953 $150 K (Richmond 400) Events: Pontiac Excitement 400 Chevy Rock & Roll 400 Richmond 400 Extended Info: -------------- Richmond International Raceway is one of three short tracks on the NASCAR schedule. This track used to be a .500 mile track but when it was reconfigured in September 1988 it was then made into the .750 mile track that we know of today. NASCAR made their debut at this track back in April of 1953 with Lee Petty winning the inaugural race at RIR. Even though that this is a short track, but the speeds can be like those of a speedway. Strategy: --------- Richmond International Raceway is a fast short track that can be a fun place to race at besides Bristol Motor Speedway. As you race off of turn 4 you should exit turn 4 at around 110 - 116 MPH heading down the frontstretch heading towards the line. You may have to brake around a 100 ft. before heading into turns 1 - 2. Before heading into turns 1 - 2 you will reach around 148 MPH before you head through turns 1 - 2. As you slow down to go through turns 1 - 2 you want to slow down to around 98 - 113 MPH as you go through turns 1 - 2, then onto the backstretch sliding as close to the wall as possible. As you head down the backstretch you should be able to reach around 143 MPH before heading into turns 3 - 4. You want to brake around a 100 ft. before the yellow line at the beginning of turn 3 to around 99 - 120 MPH as you head back to the line for a lap around RIR. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Talladega Location: Talladega, Alabama Front Stretch: 4,300 ft. Distance: 2.66 miles Back Stretch: 4,000 ft. Track Type: Superspeedway Website: www.talladegasuperspeedway.com Banking in Turns 1&2: 33* Seating Capacity: 143,000 Banking on Front Stretch: 18* Winner's Purse: $173 K (Aaron's 499) Banking on Back Stretch: 2* $165 K (EA Sports 500) Inaugural Race: 1969 $182 K (Alabama 500) Events: Aaron's 499 EA Sports 500 Alabama 500 Extened Info: ------------- Talladega Superspeedway was opened back in 1969 and hosted two NASCAR races since then. This superspeedway was designed by Bill France Sr. to be the fastest and the most competitive superspeedway on the NASCAR schedule. Before the addition of the restrictor plates at this track as well as Daytona International Speedway speeds were well over 200 MPH. The reason for the addition of restrictor plates is what happened at a race at this track back in either 1987 or 1988 when Bobby Allison's car started to spin near the line and lifted off the ground and into the grandstands at the line. After that incident NASCAR had restrictor plates made and are used for Talladega and Daytona to slow the car's speed down so they don't go over 200 MPH. Before they started the use of restrictor plates Bill Elliott managed to set a Qualifying record at both Daytona and Talladega back in the '87 season. Elliott managed to set a lap record here of 44.998 set back in April of 1987. Since they started using restrictor plates it slowed the cars down but it seems that the drivers can't seem to break away from each other like they did when they didn't use restrictor plates. NASCAR is trying to do what they can to help make that happen again, with a 13 gallon tanks for the restrictor plate races. Strategy: --------- Talladega Superspeedway can be a fast and bit of fun track to race around but remember since the addition of restrictor plates there is no guarantee that there will be a way to reach 200+ with any car setup. With the car set-up provided in this guide I will provide a strategy in which should be able to be more use then that of the old one that I have prepared, and I am sorry for taking so long of putting it in. As you race out of turn 4 you want to be at around 182 heading down the frontstretch. When you go down the frontstretch you should be able to reach around 186 before heading off into turns 1 - 2. As you race through turns 1 - 2 you want to be at around 183 - 184 going through the turns and as you exit turn 2 you want to drift up by the wall but not to the point where you end up scraping the wall loosing speed instead of gain speed. As you head down the backstretch you should be able to reach at around 187 before diving off into turns 3 - 4 and back onto the frontstretch. When you race through turns 3 - 4 you want to be at around 184 - 185 going through turns 3 - 4 heading back onto the frontstrech once again. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Texas Location: Fort Worth, Texas Banking on Straights: 5* Distance: 1.5 miles Front Stretch: 2,250 ft. Track Type: Speedway Back Stretch: 1,330 ft. Banking in Turns 1&2: 24* Website: www.texasmotorspeedway.com Banking in Turns 3&4: 8* Seating capacity: Inaugural Race: 1997 Winner's Purse: $249 K Event: Samsung/Radioshack 400 Extended Info: -------------- The NASCAR Winston Cup series debuted at this track back in 1997 with Jeff Burton winning the inaugural race at this fast 1.5 mile D-Oval. Since then in the Winston Cup series there hasn't been no driver ever winning this race more than once. Probably one of the most memorable races was the races was the race back on March 29, 1999 when Terry Labonte managed to win here at this track especially with it being in his home state of Texas. Strategy: --------- Racing at the Texas Motor Speedway can be quite fast to race at, but you don't want to carry too much speed through the turns unless you want to hit the wall. As you come out of Turn 4 you want to be around 169 MPH, as you head towards the start/finish line. You will reach around 196 MPH before heading into Turn 1, but when you go through turns 1 - 2 at around 175 - 178 MPH through the turns. As you exit out of turn 2 you should be able to reach to around 196 MPH before entering Turn 3. When you approach Turns 3 - 4, you want to do the same as you did in Turns 1 - 2 but you may want to slow down a bit to around 174 - 176 MPH as you go through turns 3 - 4. As you exit turn 4 you want to be smooth on the exit of the turn as you head to the start/finish line. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Watkins Glen Location: Watkins Glen, New York Seating Capacity: 87,000 Distance: 2.454 miles Winner's Purse: $173 K (Sirius) Track Type: Road Course $150 K (Thunder) Website: www.theglen.com Inaugural Race: 1957 Event: Sirius @ The Glen Thunder Road 220 Extended Info: -------------- Watkins Glen is a road course that can be quite fast to race on. They didn't always race at Watkins Glen International annually, at first they would do a race then do another race there like a few years later. That later changed in 1986 when NASCAR started racing there and decided to make it annually. When they made that decision to start back up making WGI an annual race, Tim Richmond went on to win the first race back at this challenging road course. Strategy: --------- Racing at Watkins Glen can be fun to race at because it isn't anything like Infineon Raceway where there's like a turn almost every time after you make one. As you come out of turn 11, you want to be around 95 - 106 MPH as you go onto the frontstretch to the start/finish line. To be able to brake good enough for turn 1 start to brake just a few feet before you see the markers [3 2 1]. As you get ready for turn 1 you'll be able to reach to around 170 MPH, and then you'll have to slow down to around 70 - 85 MPH to take on turn 1. After you have made it through turn 1, then you'll have to get ready for turn 2 with turn 3 not long after that. When you get ready to go through turn 2 slow down to around 125 - 135 MPH going through turn 2, but with turn 3 slow down to around 127 - 135 MPH [don't be suprised if you have to slow down a bit more]. Then you have to get through turn 4 at around 150 - 160 by the exit out of turn 4 going down one of two stretches, on this 2.454 mile road course. Now you have to get ready for the "Inner Loop" where turns 5, 6, 7, 8 are located. There will be markers in preparation to slow down for this "Inner Loop" starting with 600 [representing 600 ft.]. Start slowing down just a bit before the marker to around 80 - 85 MPH to take turns 5 - 6 with turns 7 - 8 not long after 5 - 6. You want to try to go through turns 7 - 8 at around 86 - 90 MPH before entering turn 9. To get through turn 9 good, keep your speed around 101 MPH and when you exit turn 9 get on the brake to around 120 MPH on the exit on the second stretch of this road course. You should be able to reach around 172 MPH before entering turn 10, but when you get ready for turn 10 start to slow down between the end of concrete wall and the 300 ft. marker. When you do slow down to around 101 - 106 MPH going through turn 10 and onto a small stretch before turn 11. As you get ready for turn 11 slow down to around 95 - 106 MPH through turn 11 to go to the start/finish line again. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- | Part Two: Fantasy | | [NT2004 3.2] | =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Devil's Canyon Speedway Location: Mesa, Arizona Seating Capacity: 136,000 Distance: 2.0 Miles Winner's Purse: Track Type: Road Course Website: n/a Inaugural Race: 2003 Event: Tumbleweed 300 Strategy: --------- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Dockside International Raceway Location: San Bruno, California Seating Capacity: 150,000 Distance: 1.5 Miles Track Type: Road Course Website: n/a Inaugural Race: Event: Fisherman's 349 Strategy: --------- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ New York Metro Speedway Seating Capacity: 233,000 Location: New York, New York Winner's Purse: $900 K Distance: 2.0 miles Track Type: Road Course Website: n/a Inaugural Race: 2003 Event: Rush Hour 350 Strategy: --------- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Sawmill Raceway Location: Mill Valley, California Seating Capacity: 98,000 Distance: 2.0 Miles Winner's Purse: $300 K Track Type: Road Course Website: n/a Inaugural Race: 2003 Event: Lumberjack 350 Strategy: --------- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Tiburon Location: Orlando, Florida Seating Capacity: Distance: 3.0 Miles Winner's Purse: Track Type: Superspeedway Website: n/a Inaugural Race: 2002 Event: Tiburon 500 Strategy: --------- -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- | Part Three: Infield Road Course | | [NT2004 3.3] | =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Daytona Infield Location: Daytona Beach, Florida Seating Capacity: Distance: Winner's Purse: Track Type: Road Course Website: n/a Inaugural Race: 1948 Event: Strategy: --------- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Homestead-Miami Infield Location: Seating Capacity: Distance: Winner's Purse: Track Type: Road Course Website: n/a Inaugural Race: 1999 Event: Strategy: --------- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Phoenix Infield Location: Avondale, Arizona Seating Capacity: Distance: Winner's Purse: Track Type: Road Course Website: n/a Inaugural Race: 1988 Event: Strategy: --------- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Pocono Infield Location: Long Pond, Pennsylvania Seating Capacity: Distance: Winner's Purse: Track Type: Road Course Website: n/a Inaugural Race: 1974 Event: Strategy: --------- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Talladega Infield Location: Talladega, Alabama Seating Capacity: Distance: Winner's Purse: Track Type: Road Course Website: n/a Inaugural Race: 1969 Event: Strategy: --------- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Texas Infield Location: Fort Worth, Texas Seating Capacity: Distance: Winner's Purse: Track Type: Road Course Website: n/a Inaugural Race: 1997 Event: Strategy: --------- **Strategies based on car set-up used for that track** -=-=--=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- | 4. Drivers | | [NT2004 4] | =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- | Part One: Cup Drivers | | [NT2004 4.1] | =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Johnny Benson **1996 Rookie of the Year** Car Owner: Jim Rocco, Nelson Bowers Team: MBV Motorsports Hometown: Car #: 10 Car Make: Pontiac Car Model: Gran Prix Sponsor: Valvoline Rookie Year: 1996 Alternate Skins: 2003 EAGLE ONE 2003 Valvoline Test Car 2002 Valvoline 2002 Muppets 2002 MLB 2002 Maxlife 2002 ZEREX 2002 EAGLE ONE 2001 Valvoline 2001 EAGLE ONE 2001 Maxlife Career Stats Championships: 0 Starts: 264 Poles: 2 Wins: 1 Top 5's: 17 Top 10's: 55 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Greg Biffle Car Owner: Geoff Smith Team: Roush Racing Hometown: Vancouver, Washington Car #: 16 Sponsor: Grainger Car Type: Ford Car Model: Taurus Rookie Year: 2003 Alternate Skins: 2003 Grainger Test Car Career Stats Championships: 0 Starts: 42 Poles: 0 Wins: 1 Top 5's: 3 Top 10's: 6 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Brett Bodine Car Owner: Brett Bodine Team: Brett Bodine Racing Hometown: Chemung, New York Car #: 11 Sponsor: Hooters Car Type: Ford Car Model: Taurus Rookie Year: 1986 Alternate Skins: 2003 Hooters Memorial "Alan Kulwicki" Career Stats Championships: 0 Starts: 480 Poles: 5 Wins: 1 Top 5's: 16 Top 10's: 61 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Jeff Burton **1994 Rookie of the Year** Car Owner: Jack Roush Team: Roush Racing Hometown: South Boston, Virginia Car #: 99 Sponsor: CITGO Car Type: Ford Car Model: Taurus Rookie Year: 1994 Alternate Skins: 2003 Bass Master 2003 Muscle Team 2003 Peelout Reelin 2003 CITGO Test Car 2002 CITGO 2002 Peelout Reelin 2001 CITGO Career Stats Championships: 0 Starts: 331 Poles: 2 Wins: 17 Top 5's: 89 Top 10's: 144 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ward Burton Car Owner: Bill Davis Team: Bill Davis Racing Hometown: South Boston, Virginia Car #: 22 Sponsor: Caterpiller Car Type: Dodge Car Model: Intrepid Rookie Year: 1994 Alternate Skins: 2003 ACERT 2003 Cat Rental 2003 Caterpiller Test Car 2002 Caterpiller 2002 Flame 2001 Caterpiller 2001 Wildlife Foundation Career Stats Championships: 0 Starts: 322 Poles: 7 Wins: 5 Top 5's: 24 Top 10's: 79 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Kurt Busch Car Owner: Georgetta Roush Team: Roush Racing Hometown: Las Vegas, Nevada Car #: 97 Sponsor: Rubbermaid Car Type: Ford Car Model: Taurus Rookie Year: 2001 Alternate Skins: 2003 Blue Ice 2003 Rubbermaid Commercial 2003 Irwin Paint 2003 Sharpie 2003 Rubbermaid Test Car 2002 Rubbermaid/Sharpie 2002 Rubbermaid 2002 Sharpie 2002 Little Tikes 2001 Sharpie/Rubbermaid Career Stats Championships: 0 Starts: 114 Poles: 2 Wins: 8 Top 5's: 24 Top 10's: 40 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ricky Craven **1995 Rookie of the Year** Car Owner: Cal Wells III Team: PPI Motorsports Hometown: Newburgh, Maine Car #: 32 Sponsor: Tide Car Type: Pontiac Car Model: Grand Prix Rookie Year: 1995 Alternate Skins: 2003 Tide with Bleach 2003 Tide Test Car Career Stats Championships: 0 Starts: 252 Poles: 6 Wins: 2 Top 5's: 17 Top 10's: 41 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Dale Earnhardt Jr. Car Owner: Teresa Earnhardt Team: Dale Earnhardt Inc. Hometown: Mooresville, North Carolina Car #: 8 Sponsor: Earnhardt Jr.* Car Type: Chevrolet Car Model: Monte Carlo Rookie Year: 2000 Alternate Skins: 2003 Dale Jr. Test car 2002 Dale Jr. 2001 Dale Jr. Career Stats Championships: 0 Starts: 147 Poles: 6 Wins: 9 Top 5's: 36 Top 10's: 58 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Bill Elliott **1988 Winston Cup Champion** Car Owner: Ray Evernham Team: Evernham Motorsports Hometown: Dawsonville, Georgia Car #: 9 Sponsor: Dodge Dealers Car Type: Dodge Car Model: Intrepid Rookie Year: 1976 Alternate Skins: 2003 Brickyard 400 2003 Dodge Dealers Test Car 2002 Dodge Dealers 2002 Muppets 2001 Dodge Dealers Career Stats Championships: 1 Starts: 731 Poles: 55 Wins: 44 Top 5's: 175 Top 10's: 319 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Christian Fittapaldi Car Owner: Richard Petty Team: Petty Enterprises Hometown: Sao Paulo, Brazil Car #: 43 Sponsor: Cheerios Car Type: Dodge Car Model: Intrepid Rookie Year: 2003 Alternate Skins: 2003 Berry Burst Cheerios 2003 Box Tops for Education 2003 Pillsbury 2003 Cheerios Test Car 2002 Cheerios 2002 Grands 2002 Honey Nut Cheerios 2002 Chex 2001 Hamburger Helper Career Stats Championships: 0 Starts: 16 Poles: 0 Wins: 0 Top 5's: 0 Top 10's: 0 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Jeff Gordon **4-Time Busch Winston Cup Champion** Car Owner: Rick Hendrick **1993 Rookie of the Year** Team: Hendrick Motorsports Hometown: Pittsboro, Indiana Car #: 24 Sponsor: DuPont Car Type: Chevrolet Car Model: Monte Carlo Rookie Year: 1993 Alternate Skins: 2003 Looney Tunes 2003 Pepsi 2003 First Flight 2003 DuPont Test Car 2002 Looney Tunes 2002 DuPont 200th 2001 Looney Tunes Career Stats Championships: 4 (1995, 1997, 1998, 2001) Starts: 365 Poles: 46 Wins: 64 Top 5's: 175 Top 10's: 230 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Robby Gordon Car Owner: Richard Childress Team: Richard Childress Racing Hometown: Cerritos, California Car #: 31 Sponsor: Cingular Wireless Car Type: Chevrolet Car Model: Monte Carlo Rookie Year: Alternate Skins: 2003 FDNY 2003 Cingular Reverse out 2003 Cingular Test Car 2002 Looney Tunes 2002 Cingular Reverse Out Career Stats Championships: 0 Starts: 164 Poles: 1 Wins: 3 Top 5's: 9 Top 10's: 21 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Jeff Green Car Owner: Teresa Earnhardt Team: Dale Earnhardt Inc. Hometown: Owensboro, Kentucky Car #: 1 Sponsor: PENNZOIL Car Type: Chevrolet Car Model: Monte Carlo Rookie Year: Alternate Skins: 2003 Pennzoil Test Car 2002 Pennzoil 2001 Pennzoil Career Stats Championships: 0 Starts: 125 Poles: 2 Wins: 0 Top 5's: 5 Top 10's: 10 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Kevin Harvick **2001 Rookie of the Year** Car Owner: Richard Childress Team: Richard Childress Racing Hometown: Car #: 29 Sponsor: GM Goodwrench Plus Car Type: Chevrolet Car Model: Monte Carlo Rookie Year: 2001 Alternate Skins: 2003 Shootout 2003 Snap On 2003 GM Goodwrench Test Car 2002 GM Goodwrench 2002 Looney Tunes 2002 Now Sell Tires 2001 GM Goodwrench 2001 Looney Tunes 2001 America Online Career Stats Championships: 0 Starts: 106 Poles: 2 Wins: 4 Top 5's: 22 Top 10's: 42 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Dale Jarrett **1999 Winston Cup Champion** Car Owner: Robert Yates Team: Robert Yates Racing Hometown: Hickory, North Carolina Car #: 88 Sponsor: UPS Car Type: Ford Car Model: Taurus Rookie Year: 1987 Alternate Skins: 2003 Early Season 2003 UPS Test Car 2002 UPS 2002 Muppets 2001 Flames Career Stats Championships: 1 Starts: 531 Poles: 15 Wins: 31 Top 5's: 152 Top 10's: 235 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Jimmie Johnson Car Owner: Jeff Gordon Team: Hendrick Motorsports Hometown: El Cajon, California Car #: 48 Sponsor: LOWE'S Car Type: Chevrolet Car Model: Monte Carlo Rookie Year: 2002 Alternate Skins: 2003 Power of Pride 2003 Lowe's Test Car 2002 Lowe's 2002 Looney Tunes 2002 Power of Pride Career Stats Championships: 0 Starts: 75 Poles: 6 Wins: 6 Top 5's: 20 Top 10's: 41 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Matt Kenseth **2003 Winston Cup Champion** Car Owner: Mark Martin **2000 Rookie of the Year Team: Roush Racing Hometown: Cambridge, Winconsin Car #: 17 Sponsor: DeWalt Car Type: Ford Car Model: Taurus Rookie Year: 2000 Alternate Skins: 2003 Million Dollar Challenge 2003 DeWalt Test Car 2002 DeWalt 2002 AT&T 2002 Million Dollar Challenge 2001 DeWalt Career Stats Championships: 1 Starts: 147 Poles: 1 Wins: 7 Top 5's: 31 Top 10's: 66 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Bobby Labonte **2000 Winston Cup Champion** Car Owner: Joe Gibbs Team: Joe Gibbs Racing Hometown: Corpus Christi, Texas Car #: 18 Sponsor: Interstate Batteries Car Type: Chevrolet Car Model: Monte Carlo Rookie Year: 1993 Alternate Skins: 2003 Hulk 2003 Interstate Batteries Test Car 2002 Interstate Batteries 2002 Muppets 2001 Interstate Batteries 2001 Jurassic Park 3 2001 Coca-Cola Polar Bear 2000 MLB All-Star Game 2000 Frankenstein 1999 NASCAR Racers 1998 Small Soldiers Career Stats Championships: 1 Starts: 359 Poles: 25 Wins: 21 Top 5's: 101 Top 10's: 166 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Terry Labonte **2-Time Winston Cup Champion** Car Owner: Rich Hendrick Team: Hendrick Motorsports Hometown: Corpus Christi, Texas Car #: 5 Sponsor: Kellogg's Car Type: Chevrolet Car Model: Monte Carlo Rookie Year: 1979 Alternate Skins: 2003 Cheez-It 2003 Got Milk? 2002 Looney Tunes 2001 Mini Wheats 2001 Looney Tunes Career Stats Championships: 2 (1984, 1996) Starts: 781 Poles: 27 Wins: 22 Top 5's: 181 Top 10's: 353 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Kevin Lepage Car Owner: Team: Hometown: Shelburne, Vermont Car #: 57 Sponsor: CLR Car Type: Chevrolet Car Model: Monte Carlo Rookie Year: 1997 Alternate Skins: none Career Stats Championships: 0 Starts: 139 Poles: 1 Wins: 0 Top 5's: 2 Top 10's: 8 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sterling Marlin **1983 Rookie of the Year** Car Owner: Chip Ganassi Team: Ganassi Racing Hometown: Columbia, Tennessee Car #: 40 Sponsor: Sterling Marlin* Car Type: Dodge Car Model: Intrepid Rookie Year: 1983 Alternate Skins: 2003 Sterling Marlin Test Car 2002 Sterling Marlin 2001 Sterling Marlin Career Stats Championships: 0 Starts: 604 Poles: 11 Wins: 10 Top 5's: 79 Top 10's: 202 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Mark Martin **1982 Rookie of the Year** Car Owner: Jack Roush Team: Roush Racing Hometown: Batesville, Arkansas Car #: 6 Sponsor: Pfizer Car Type: Ford Car Model: Taurus Rookie Year: 1982 Alternate Skins: 2003 Kraft 2003 Reverse 2003 Pfizer Test car 2002 Pfizer 2002 Kraft Tombstone Career Stats Championships: 0 Starts: 556 Poles: 41 Wins: 33 Top 5's: 205 Top 10's: 325 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Jeremy Mayfield Car Owner: Ray Evernham Team: Evernham Motorsports Hometown: Owensboro, Kentucky Car #: 19 Sponsor: Dodge Dealers Car Type: Dodge Car Model: Intrepid Rookie Year: 1994 Alternate Skins: 2003 Mountain Dew 2003 Dodge Dealers Test Car 2002 Dodge Dealers 2002 Muppets 2002 Mountain Dew Career Stats Championships: 0 Starts: 309 Poles: 7 Wins: 3 Top 5's: 40 Top 10's: 74 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Jamie McMurray **2003 Rookie of the Year** Car Owner: Chip Ganassi Team: Ganassi Racing Hometown: Joplen, Missouri Car #: 42 Sponsor: HAVOLINE Car Type: Dodge Car Model: Intrepid Rookie Year: 2003 Alternate Skins: 2003 Havoline Test car Career Stats Championships: 0 Starts: 42 Poles: 1 Wins: 1 Top 5's: 6 Top 10's: 14 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Casey Mears Car Owner: Chip Ganassi Team: Ganassi Racing Hometown: Bakersfield, California Car #: 41 Sponsor: TARGET Car Type: Dodge Car Model: Intrepid Rookie Year: 2003 Alternate Skins: 2003 TARGET Test car 2002 Muppets Career Stats Championships: 0 Starts: 36 Poles: 0 Wins: 0 Top 5's: 0 Top 10's: 0 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Jerry Nadeau Car Owner: Team: MB2 Motorsports Hometown: Danbury, Connecticut Car #: 01 Sponsor: Go ARMY Car Type: Pontiac Car Model: Grand Prix Rookie Year: Alternate Skins: 2003 USG 2003 U.S. Army Camo 2003 U.S. Army Test Car Career Stats Championships: 0 Starts: 177 Poles: 0 Wins: 1 Top 5's: 9 Top 10's: 19 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Joe Nemechek Car Owner: Rick Hendrick Team: Hendrick Motorsports Hometown: Naples, Florida Car #: 25 Sponsor: UAW Delphi Car Type: Chevrolet Car Model: Monte Carlo Rookie Year: 1994 Alternate Skins: 2003 Looney Tunes 2003 Uncle Kracker 2002 Looney Tunes Career Stats Championships: 0 Starts: 322 Poles: 6 Wins: 3 Top 5's: 13 Top 10's: 41 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ryan Newman **2002 Rookie of the Year** Car Owner: Roger Penske Team: Penske Racing Hometown: South Bend, Indiana Car #: 12 Sponsor: ALLTEL Car Type: Dodge Car Model: Intrepid Rookie Year: 2002 Alternate Skins: 2003 Mobil 2003 Sony Wega 2003 ALLTEL Test Car 2002 Mobil 2002 Sony Wega 2002 ALLTEL Career Stats Championships: 0 Starts: 80 Poles: 18 Wins: 9 Top 5's: 33 Top 10's: 46 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Steve Park Car Owner: Richard Childress Team: Richard Childress Racing Hometown: East Northport, New York Car #: 30 Sponsor: AOL Car Type: Chevrolet Car Model: Monte Carlo Rookie Year: 1998 Alternate Skins: 2003 Looney Tunes 2003 America Online Test car 2002 America Online 2002 Looney Tunes 2001 Looeny Tunes Career Stats Championships: 0 Starts: 181 Poles: 4 Wins: 2 Top 5's: 12 Top 10's: 35 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Kyle Petty Car Owner: Patti Petty Team: Petty Enterprises Hometown: Car #: 45 Sponsor: Georgia Pacific Car Type: Dodge Car Model: Intrepid Rookie Year: 1980 Alternate Skins: 2003 Brawny 2003 Georgia Pacific Test Car 2002 Sprint PCS 2002 Charity Ride 2001 Charity Ride Career Stats Championships: 0 Starts: 678 Poles: 8 Wins: 8 Top 5's: 51 Top 10's: 168 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ricky Rudd **1977 Rookie of the Year** Car Owner: Wood Brothers Team: Wood Brothers Hometown: Chesapeake, Virginia Car #: 21 Sponsor: Motorcraft Car Type: Ford Car Model: Taurus Rookie Year: 1977 Alternate Skins: 2003 Motorcraft Test Car Career Stats Championships: 0 Starts: 803 Poles: 28 Wins: 23 Top 5's: 191 Top 10's: 361 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Elliott Sadler Car Owner: Robert Yates Team: Robert Yates Racing Hometown: Emporia, Virginia Car #: 38 Sponsor: M&Ms Car Type: Ford Car Model: Taurus Rookie Year: 1999 Alternate Skins: 2003 M&Ms Test Car Career Stats Championships: 0 Starts: 177 Poles: 2 Wins: 1 Top 5's: 6 Top 10's: 20 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Hermie Sadler Car Owner: Hermie Sadler Team: Sadler Motorsports Hometown: Emporia, Virginia Car #: 02 Sponsor: Go Team VA Car Type: Pontiac Car Model: Grand Prix Rookie Year: Alternate Skins: none Career Stats Championships: 0 Starts: 23 Poles: 0 Wins: 0 Top 5's: 0 Top 10's: 0 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ken Schrader **1985 Rookie of the Year** Car Owner: Beth Ann Morgenthau Team: BAM Racing Hometown: Fenton, Missori Car #: 49 Sponsor: AT&T Car Type: Dodge Car Model: Intrepid Rookie Year: 1985 Alternate Skins: 2003 Call ATT Career Stats Championships: 0 Starts: 596 Poles: 23 Wins: 4 Top 5's: 64 Top 10's: 178 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Mike Skinner **1997 Rookie of the Year** Car Owner: Morgan McClure Team: McClure Racing Hometown: Ontario, Canada Car #: 4 Sponsor: KODAK Film Car Type: Pontiac Car Model: Grand Prix Rookie Year: 1997 Alternate Skins: 2003 Easy Share 2002 KODAK Max 2002 Looney Tunes Career Stats Championships: 0 Starts: 229 Poles: 6 Wins: 0 Top 5's: 10 Top 10's: 39 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Tony Stewart **2002 Winston Cup Champion** Car Owner: Joe Gibbs **1999 Rookie of the Year** Team: Joe Gibbs Racing Hometown: Columbus, Indiana Car #: 20 Sponsor: Home Depot Car Type: Chevrolet Car Model: Monte Carlo Rookie Year: 1999 Alternate Skins: 2003 Declaration 2003 Home Depot Test car 2002 Winston Cup Champion 2002 Home Depot 2002 Snoopy 2001 Home Depot 2001 Jurassic Park 3 2001 Coca-Cola Polar Bear 2000 Kid's Workshop 1999 Habitat for Humanity Career Stats Championships: 1 Starts: 176 Poles: 7 Wins: 17 Top 5's: 67 Top 10's: 101 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Kenny Wallace Car Owner: Bill Davis Team: Bill Davis Racing Hometown: St. Louis, Missouri Car #: 23 Sponsor: Stacker2 Car Type: Chevrolet Car Model: Intrepid Rookie Year: Alternate Skins: none Career Stats Championships: 0 Starts: 300 Poles: 3 Wins: 0 Top 5's: 6 Top 10's: 27 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Rusty Wallace **1984 Rookie of the Year** Car Owner: Roger Penske **1989 Winston Cup Champion** Team: Penske Racing Hometown: St. Louis, Missouri Car #: 2 Sponsor: Team Rusty* Car Type: Dodge Car Model: Intrepid Rookie Year: 1984 Alternate Skins: 2003 Team Rusty Test Car 2002 Team Rusty 2002 Elvis 2002 Harley Davidson Career Stats Championships: 1 Starts: 634 Poles: 36 Wins: 54 Top 5's: 191 Top 10's: 321 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Michael Waltrip Car Owner: Teresa Earnhardt Team: Dale Earnhardt Inc. Hometown: Owensboro, Kentucky Car #: 15 Sponsor: NAPA Car Type: Chevrolet Car Model: Monte Carlo Rookie Year: 1986 Alternate Skins: 2003 Nilla 2003 Stars and Stripes 2003 NAPA Test car 2002 NAPA 2002 Stars and Stripes 2001 NAPA Career Stats Championships: 0 Starts: 570 Poles: 2 Wins: 4 Top 5's: 33 Top 10's: 106 **CAREER STATS WILL BE FINAL FOR WINSTON CUP AFTER THE FORD 400 @ HOMESTEAD-MIAMI** -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- | Part Two: Busch | | [NT2004 4.2] | =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Stanton Barrett Car Owner: Jack Roush Team: Roush Racing Hometown: Bishop, California Car #: 60 Sponsor: OdoBan Car Type: Ford Car Model: Taurus Rookie Year: Alternate Skins: none Career Stats Championships: 0 Starts: 75 Poles: 0 Wins: 0 Top 5's: 1 Top 10's: 6 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Mike Bliss Car Owner: Joe Gibbs Team: Joe Gibbs Racing Hometown: Milwaukie, Oregon Car #: 20 Sponsor: Rockwell Automotive Car Type: Chevrolet Car Model: Monte Carlo Rookie Year: Alternate Skins: none Career Stats Championships: 0 Starts: 41 Poles: 0 Wins: 0 Top 5's: 8 Top 10's: 14 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Jeff Burton Car Owner: Jack Roush Team: Roush Racing Hometown: South Boston, Virginia Car #: 9 Sponsor: Uh-Oh Oreo Car Type: Ford Car Model: Taurus Rookie Year: 1989 Alternate Skins: none Career Stats Championships: 0 Starts: 236 Poles: 10 Wins: 20 Top 5's: 61 Top 10's: 103 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Dale Earnhardt Jr. **2-Time Busch Series Champion** Car Owner: Tereasa Earnhardt Team: Dale Earnhardt Incorporated Hometown: Mooresville, North Carolina Car #: 8 Sponsor: Oreo Car Type: Chevrolet Car Model: Monte Carlo Rookie Year: 1997 Alternate Skins: none Career Stats Championships: 2 (1998, 1999) Starts: 79 Poles: 8 Wins: 18 Top 5's: 39 Top 10's: 50 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Coy Gibbs Car Owner: Joe Gibbs Team: Joe Gibbs Racing Hometown: Car #: 18 Sponsor: MBNA Car Type: Chevrolet Car Model: Monte Carlo Rookie Year: Alternate Skins: none Career Stats Championships: 0 Starts: 39 Poles: 0 Wins: 0 Top 5's: 0 Top 10's: 2 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Tina Gordon Car Owner: N/A Team: N/A Hometown: Cedar Bluff, Alabama Car #: 22 Sponsor: Tina Gordon* Car Type: Chevrolet Car Model: Monte Carlo Rookie Year: UNKNOWN Alternate Skins: none Career Stats Championships: 0 Starts: 2 Poles: 0 Wins: 0 Top 5's: 0 Top 10's: 1 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- David Green **1994 Busch Series Champion** Car Owner: Clarence Brewer Team: Brewco Hometown: Owensboro, Kentucky Car #: 37 Sponsor: David Green* Car Type: Pontiac Car Model: Grand Prix Rookie Year: 1991 Alternate Skins: none Career Stats Championships: 1 Starts: 287 Poles: 21 Wins: 8 Top 5's: 63 Top 10's: 120 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Kevin Grubb Car Owner: Dave Carroll Team: Carroll Racing Hometown: Mechanicsville, Virginia Car #: 26 Sponsor: Dr. Pepper Car Type: Dodge Car Model: Intrepid Rookie Year: Alternate Skins: none Career Stats Championships: 0 Starts: 169 Poles: 1 Wins: 0 Top 5's: 10 Top 10's: 31 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Kevin Harvick **2001 Busch Series Champion** Car Owner: Richard Childress Team: Richard Childress Racing Hometown: Car #: 21 Sponsor: Pay Day Car Type: Chevrolet Car Model: Monte Carlo Rookie Year: Alternate Skins: none Career Stats Championships: 1 Starts: 88 Poles: 11 Wins: 11 Top 5's: 40 Top 10's: 58 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ron Hornaday Car Owner: Richard Childress Team: Richard Childress Racing Hometown: Palmdale, California Car #: 2 Sponsor: AC Delco Car Type: Chevrolet Car Model: Monte Carlo Rookie Year: Alternate Skins: none Career Stats Championships: 0 Starts: 116 Poles: 1 Wins: 3 Top 5's: 20 Top 10's: 43 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ashton Lewis Jr. Car Owner: William Lewis Team: Lewis Motorsports Hometown: Chesapeake, Virginia Car #: 46 Sponsor: Civil Air Patrol Car Type: Chevrolet Car Model: Monte Carlo Rookie Year: Alternate Skins: none Career Stats Championships: 0 Starts: 122 Poles: 1 Wins: 0 Top 5's: 5 Top 10's: 20 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Chase Montgomery Car Owner: Clarence Brewer Team: Brewco Motorsports Hometown: Mt. Juliet, Tennessee Car #: 27 Sponsor: TrimSpa Car Type: Pontiac Car Model: Grand Prix Rookie Year: Alternate Skins: none Career Stats Championships: 0 Starts: 14 Poles: 0 Wins: 0 Top 5's: 0 Top 10's: 1 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Brian Vickers **2003 Busch Series Champion** Car Owner: Rick Hendrick Team: Hendrick Motorsports Hometown: Thomasville, North Carolina Car #: 5 Sponsor: GMAC Car Type: Chevrolet Car Model: Monte Carlo Rookie Year: 2002 Alternate Skins: none Career Stats Championships: 1 Starts: 52 Poles: 1 Wins: 3 Top 5's: 13 Top 10's: 22 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Michael Waltrip Car Owner: Michael Waltrip Team: Michael Waltrip Racing Hometown: Owensboro, Kentucky Car #: 99 Sponsor: Aaron's Car Type: Chevrolet Car Model: Monte Carlo Rookie Year: Alternate Skins: none Career Stats Championships: 0 Starts: 201 Poles: 14 Wins: 10 Top 5's: 55 Top 10's: 88 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Scott Wimmer Car Owner: Bill Davis Team: Bill Davis Racing Hometown: Car #: 23 Sponsor: Stacker2 Car Type: Chevrolet Car Model: Monte Carlo Rookie Year: Alternate Skins: none Career Stats Championships: 0 Starts: 104 Poles: 0 Wins: 5 Top 5's: 17 Top 10's: 37 **CAREER STATS WILL BE FINAL FOR BUSCH SERIES AFTER THE FORD 300 @ HOMESTEAD-MIAMI** -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- | Part Three: Legends | | [NT2004 4.3] | =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Bobby Allison **1983 Winston Cup Champion** Car Owner: N/A Team: N/A Hometown: Hueytown, Alabama Car #: 22 Sponsor: Piper Papers Car Type: Dodge Car Model: Intrepid Rookie Year: Year Retired: 1988 Alternate Skins: none Career Stats Championships: 1 Starts: 718 Poles: 58 Wins: 85 Top 5's: 336 Top 10's: 446 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Dale Earnhardt **7-Time Winston Cup Champion** Car Owner: Richard Childress **1979 Rookie of the Year** Team: Richard Childress Racing Hometown: Kannapolis, North Carolina Car #: 3 Sponsor: GM Goodwrench Service Plus Car Type: Chevrolet Car Model: Monte Carlo Rookie Year: 1979 Year Retired: 2001 -died in 2001 Daytona 500- Alternate Skins: 1995 Silver 1997 - 1998 PLUS 1998 Coca Cola 1998 Bass Pro Shops 1999 Wrangler 2001 Oreo 2002 Legacy Career Stats Championships: 7 [1980, 1986, 1987, 1990, 1991, 1993, 1994] Starts: 676 Poles: 22 Wins: 76 Top 5's: 281 Top 10's: 428 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Junior Johnson Car Owner: N/A Team: N/A Hometown: Ronda, North Carolina Car #: 3 Car Type: Chevrolet Car Model: Monte Carlo Sponsor: Rookie Year: 1956 Year Retired: 1966 Alternate Skins: none Career Stats Championships: 0 Starts: 313 Poles: 47 Wins: 50 Top 5's: 121 Top 10's: 148 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Tiny Lund Car Owner: N/A Team: N/A Hometown: Cross, South Carolina Car #: 55 Car Type: Dodge Car Model: Intrepid Sponsor: Tiny Lund Rookie Year: 1956 Year Retired: 1975 Alternate Skins: none Career Stats Championships: 0 Starts: 303 Poles: 6 Wins: 5 Top 5's: 54 Top 10's: 119 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Elmo Langley Car Owner: N/A Team: N/A Hometown: Landover, Maryland Car #: 64 Car Type: Ford Car Model: Taurus Sponsor: Elmo Langley Rookie Year: 1954 Year Retired: 1981 Alternate Skins: none Career Stats Championships: 0 Starts: 536 Poles: 1 Wins: 2 Top 5's: 63 Top 10's: 193 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Alan Kulwicki **1992 Winston Cup Champion** Car Owner: Alan Kulwicki **1986 Rookie of the Year** Team: Kulwicki Racing Hometown: Greenfield, Winconsin Car #: 7 Car Type: Ford Car Model: Taurus Sponsor: Alan Kulwicki Rookie Year: 1986 Year Retired: 1993 [died on April 1, 1993 due to a plane crash] Alternate Skins: none Career Stats Championships: 1 Starts: 207 Poles: 24 Wins: 5 Top 5's: 38 Top 10's: 75 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Benny Parsons **1973 Winston Cup Champion** Car Owner: N/A Team: N/A Hometown: Ellerbe, North Carolina Car #: NBC SPORTS Car Type: Pontiac Car Model: Gran Prix Sponsor: NBC Rookie Year: 1970 Year Retired: 1988 Alternate Skins: 50 TNT Career Stats Championships: 1 Starts: 526 Poles: 20 Wins: 21 Top 5's: 199 Top 10's: 283 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Richard Petty **7-Time Winston Cup Champion** Car Owner: Richard Petty **1959 Rookie of the Year** Team: Petty Enterprises Hometown: Randleman, North Carolina Car #: 43 Car Type: Dodge Car Model: Intrepid Sponsor: STP Rookie Year: 1959 Year Retired: 1992 Alternate Skin: Richard Petty Driving Experience Career Stats Championships: 7 [1964, 1967, 1971, 1972, 1974, 1975, 1979] Starts: 1184 Poles: 126 Wins: 200 Top 5's: 555 Top 10's: 712 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Bobby Wawak Car Owner: N/A Team: N/A Hometown: Car #: 36 Car Type: Chevrolet Car Model: Monte Carlo Sponsor: Wawak Rookie Year: 1967 Year Retired: 1987 Alternate Skins: none Career Stats Championships: 0 Starts: 141 Poles: 0 Wins: 0 Top 5's: 0 Top 10's: 14 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Cale Yarborough **3-Time Winston Cup Champion** Car Owner: N/A Team: N/A Hometwon: Timmonsville, South Carolina Car #: 28 Car Type: Ford Car Model: Taurus Sponsor: Cale Yarborough Rookie Year: 1962 Year Retired: 1988 Alternate Skins: none Career Stats Championships: 3 [1976, 1977, 1978] Starts: 559 Poles: 70 Wins: 83 Top 5's: 255 Top 10's: 318 -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= | Part Four: Fantasy | | [NT2004 4.4] | =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- EA Sports Car #56 Jason Kennedy #144 Clay Dixon #101 Scott Smith #145 Pete Nelson #103 Doug Ferguson #147 Kyle McCoy #105 Bobby Boone #149 Greg Hicks #107 Ronnie Reynolds #151 Andy Armstrong #109 Don Evans #161 Brad Carter #111 Kitt Paint # Travis Watson #115 Jimmy Lane #167 Eli Gold #119 Steve Thomas #171 Barney Hall #121 Dave Dunn #172 Bubba Clayton #122 Seth Taylor #174 Charlie Davis #123 Tim Wagner #175 Joe Moore #127 J.R. Jones #176 Buster Auton Pace Car [#130] Joe Lawton #177 Lonnie McKinney #131 Dusty Gibson #178 Ben Baldwin #132 Earl Hall #184 Randy Norton #133 SZ Blocking #185 Winston Kelley #137 SZ Drafting #186 Bo Banks #139 SZ Passing #187 Ray Parker #141 SZ Time Trials #188 Russell Richardson #142 Tony Walker #198 Rocky Perry #145 Mike Murphy #199 --- KEY --- * -Actual Sponsor is a drug or alcoholic beverage -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= | 5. Car Setups | | [NT2004 5] | =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- | Part One: Licensed Tracks | =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Atlanta ------- Tire Pressure: 28 psi Gear Ratios Fender Flare: 73 in. Preset 9 Rear Spoiler: 60* Front Suspension: 60% Rear Suspension: 90% Wedge: -1.0 Turns Bristol ------- Tire Pressure: 20 psi Gear Ratios Fender Flare: 76 in. Gear 1 - 3.10 Rear Spoiler: 70* Gear 2 - 2.30 Front Suspension: 100% Gear 3 - 1.80 Rear Suspension: 100% Gear 4 - 1.38 Wedge: 0.5 Turns Rear - 3.30 California ---------- Tire Pressure: 15 psi Gear Ratios Fender Flare: 74 in. Preset 8 Rear Spoiler: 55* Front Suspension: 80% Rear Suspension: 100% Wedge: 0.5 Turns Chicagoland ----------- Tire Pressure: 15 psi Gear Ratios Fender Flare: 73 1/2 in. Preset 9 Rear Spoiler: 60* Front Suspension: 60% Rear Suspension: 100% Wedge: 0.5 Turns Darlington ---------- Tire Pressure: 15 psi Gear Ratios Fender Flare: 73 1/2 in. Preset 6 Rear Spoiler: 60* Front Suspension: 60% Rear Suspension: 100% Wedge: 0.0 Turns Daytona ------- Tire Pressure: 28 psi Gear Ratios Fender Flare: --- Preset 10 Rear Spoiler: --- Front Suspension: 60% Rear Suspension: 100% Wedge: 2.0 Turns Daytona Beach ------------- Tire Pressure: 30 psi Gear Ratios Fender Flare: 74 1/2 in. Preset 6 Rear Spoiler: 55* Front Suspension: 60% Rear Suspension: 100% Wedge: 1.5 Turns Dover Downs ----------- Tire Pressure: 15 psi Gear Ratios Fender Flare: 74 in. Preset 6 Rear Spoiler: 59* Front Suspension: 65% Rear Suspension: 85% Wedge: 1.0 Turns Homestead-Miami --------------- Tire Pressure: 15 psi Gear Ratios Fender Flare: 74 in. Preset 8 Rear Spoiler: 55* Front Suspension: 80% Rear Suspension: 100% Wedge: 0.5 Turns Homestead-Miami [2002 Edition] ------------------------------ Tire Pressure: 15 psi Gear Ratios Fender Flare: 74 in. Preset 5 Rear Spoiler: 60* Front Suspension: 80% Rear Suspension: 100% Wedge: 0.5 Turns Indianapolis ------------ Tire Pressure: 15 psi Gear Ratios Fender Flare: 73 in. Gear 1: 3.60 Rear Spoiler: 45* Gear 2: 1.90 Front Suspension: 60% Gear 3: 1.30 Rear Suspension: 80% Gear 4: 0.95 Wedge: -1.5 Turns Rear: 3.45 Infineon -------- Tire Pressure: 15 psi Gear Ratios Fender Flare: 76 in. Preset 4 Rear Spoiler: 60* Front Suspension: 60% Rear Suspension: 100% Wedge: 1.5 Turns Kansas ------ Tire Pressure: 15 psi Gear Ratios Fender Flare: 74 in. Preset 7 Rear Spoiler: 56* Front Suspension: 60% Rear Suspension: 100% Wedge: 1.0 Turns Las Vegas --------- Tire Pressure: 15 psi Gear Ratios Fender Flare: 74 1/2 in. Preset 7 Rear Spoiler: 55* Front Suspension: 80% Rear Suspension: 100% Wedge: 1.5 Turns Lowe's ------ Tire Pressure: 24 psi Gear Ratios Fender Flare: 74 in. Preset 7 Rear Spoiler: 60* Front Suspension: 60% Rear Suspension: 85% Wedge: -0.5 Turns Martinsville ------------ Tire Pressure: 15 psi Gear Ratios Fender Flare: 75 in. Preset 2 Rear Spoiler: 70* Front Suspension: 50% Rear Suspension: 60% Wedge: 0.5 Turns Michigan -------- Tire Pressure: 30 psi Gear Ratios Fender Flare: 73 in. Preset 8 Rear Spoiler: 50* Front Suspension: 60% Rear Suspension: 100% Wedge: 0.5 Turns New Hampshire ------------- Tire Pressure: 22 psi Gear Ratios Fender Flare: 75 in. Preset 4 Rear Spoiler: 70* Front Suspension: 60% Rear Suspension: 100% Wedge: 0.5 Turns North Carolina -------------- Tire Pressure: 15 psi Gear Ratios Fender Flare: 74 in. Preset 6 Rear Spoiler: 55* Front Suspension: 80% Rear Suspension: 100% Wedge: 1.0 Phoenix ------- Tire Pressure: 15 psi Gear Ratios Fender Flare: 73 in. Preset 10 Rear Spoiler: 50* Front Suspension: 80% Rear Suspension: 100% Wedge: 1.0 Turns Pocono ------ Tire Pressure: 15 psi Gear Ratios Fender Flare: 74 1/2 in. Preset 6 Rear Spoiler: 50* Front Suspension: 60% Rear Suspension: 80% Wedge: 0.5 Turns Richmond -------- Tire Pressure: 19 psi Gear Ratios Fender Flare: 75 in. Preset 6 Rear Spoiler: 55* Front Suspension: 55% Rear Suspension: 45% Wedge: 0.5 Turns Talladega --------- Tire Pressure: 30 psi Gear Ratios Fender Flare: --- Preset 10 Rear Spoiler: --- Front Suspension: 60% Rear Suspension: 80% Wedge: 1.0 Turns Texas ----- Tire Pressure: 20 psi Gear Ratios Fender Flare: 73 1/2 Preset 8 Rear Spoiler: 50* Front Suspension: 60% Rear Suspension: 100% Wedge: -0.5 turns Watkins Glen ------------ Tire Pressure: 15 psi Gear Ratios Fender Flare: 74 1/2 in. Preset 7 Rear Spoiler: 60* Front Suspension: 60% Rear Suspension: 100% Wedge: 1.5 Turns -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- | Part Two: Fantasy | =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Devil's Canyon -------------- Tire Pressure: 15 psi Gear Ratios Fender Flare: 73 in. Preset 8 Rear Spoiler: 50* Front Suspension: 80% Rear Suspension: 100% Wedge: -0.5 Turns Dockside International Raceway ------------------------------ Tire Pressure: 20 psi Gear Ratios Fender Flare: 76 in. Preset 7 Rear Spoiler: 65* Front Suspension: 80% Rear Suspension: 100% Wedge: 1.5 Turns New York Metro Speedway ----------------------- Tire Pressure: 15 psi Gear Ratios Fender Flare: 75 in. Preset 5 Rear Spoiler: 65* Front Suspension: 60% Rear Suspension: 80% Wedge: 1.5 Turns Sawmill Raceway --------------- Tire Pressure: 18 psi Gear Ratios Fender Flare: 76 in. Preset 5 Rear Spoiler: 55* Front Suspension: 65% Rear Suspension: 90% Wedge: 1.5 Turns -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= | Part Three: Infield Road Courses | =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- Daytona Infield --------------- Tire Pressure: 30 psi Gear Ratios Fender Flare: 74 1/2 in. Preset 5 Rear Spoiler: 65* Front Suspension: 65% Rear Suspension: 75% Wedge: 0.5 Turns Homestead Miami Infield ----------------------- Tire Pressure: 15 psi Gear Ratios Fender Flare: 74 in. Preset 5 Rear Spoiler: 63* Front Suspension: 80% Rear Suspension: 100% Wedge: 1.5 Turns Phoenix Infield --------------- Tire Pressure: 28 psi Gear Ratios Fender Flare: 76 in. Preset 4 Rear Spoiler: 63* Front Suspension: 80% Rear Suspension: 100% Wedge: 1.5 Turns Pocono Infield -------------- Tire Pressure: 21 psi Gear Ratios Fender Flare: 75 1/2 in. Preset 6 Rear Spoiler: 70* Front Suspension: 80% Rear Suspension: 100% Wedge: 2.0 Turns Talladega Infield ----------------- Tire Pressure: 20 psi Gear Ratios Fender Flare: 75 in. Preset 8 Rear Spoiler: 55* Front Suspension: 80% Rear Suspension: 100% Wedge: 1.5 Turns Texas Infield ------------- Tire Pressure: 20 psi Gear Ratios Fender Flare: 74 in. Preset 7 Rear Spoiler: 55* Front Suspension: 60% Rear Suspension: 100% Wedge: 1.5 Turns -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= | 6. Career Mode | | [NT2004 6] | =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= | Part One: Introduction | =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- Here I will introduce Career Mode like I done in my Race Guide for last year's game. There is a change in this year's Career Mode like Nascar Thunder 2003's Career Mode was different than Career Mode in Thunder 2002. In this section I will try to explain every section of Career Mode as much as I possibly can so you can be real successful in this mode. It seems that EA decided to make Career Mode feel more in-depth over 2003's which makes it feel more realistic in almost every way. This mode is much different than compared to Season Mode because you have to do more things in this mode to be able to be competitive every weekend. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= | Part Two: Revving Up Your Career | =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- When you enter Career Mode in NASCAR Thunder 2004 you'll notice that there are more things that you have to do in this year's version compared to 2003's Career Mode. It always seems so far that each year has a more in-depth Career Mode and I'll take you through the steps that you have to do as well as provide examples so you can get a feeling on how this year's Career Mode is like. Here we go: -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= | STEP I: Setting Up | =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- Here you can set up Career Mode the way you want it to by selecting things such as schedule, A.I. difficulty, Race Length, Damage, Yellow Flags, and Tips while in Career Mode: Schedule: 12, 24, 36 races A.I. Difficulty: Rookie, Veteran, Legend Race Length: 5%, 10%, 25%, 50%, 100% Damage: Quick Repair, Normal Yellow Flags: On, Off Career Tips: On, Off -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- | STEP II: Creat-a-Car | =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= In this step you will have to create your car or you can modify a car that you have already created for Quick Race/Season Modes. These are the options that you can choose for when you create-a-car: NEW - Create-A-Car MODIFY - Modify car that you have already made for RACE NOW/SEASON REFRESH - Checks MEMORY CARD for any saved cars created -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- | STEP III: Sign Sponsors | =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Here is your opportunity to choose sponsors to start off in Career Mode but there is a tip that I must give you if you don't have Career Tips on. You can choose sponsors whose expectations that you can meet every race so you don't end up losing your sponsor before they leave you earlier than expected. Here is a list of sponsors that I decided to list as examples so you can know what type of sponsors are in Career Mode: o-----------------------------------------------------------o | Primary: Easy Care | Expectations of Sponsor | | Prestique: 52 | Average FINISH 35th | | Income: $11K per race | | | Bank: $47K per race | Contract: 9 RACES | |---------------------------|-------------------------------| | Secondary: WinCraft | Expectations of Sponsor | | Prestique: 53 | Average START 40th | | Income: $6K per race | | | Bank: $25K per race | Contract: 9 RACES | |---------------------------|-------------------------------| | Associate: WinCraft | Expectations of Sponsor | | Prestique: 53 | Rank 40th in EARNINGS | | Income: $5K per race | | | Bank: $21K per race | Contract: 9 RACES | |---------------------------|-------------------------------| | Team: EasyCare | Expectations of Sponsor | | Prestique: 52 | Particiapte in Race to get | | Income: $5K per race | paid | | | Contract: 9 RACES | |---------------------------|-------------------------------| | Driver: Easy Care | Expectations of Sponsor | | Prestique: 51 | Participate in Race to get | | Income: $5K per race | paid | | | Contract: 9 RACES | o-----------------------------------------------------------o As you continue to please your sponsors and do well, without having to make enemies with your fellow competetitors, you may be able to do more with your cars. You can then build more engines, chasis, and bodies, and hopefully more things for your garage, as you become better in Career Mode as well as better sponsor deals. You should be able to start getting Sponsor packages when you get farther into your Career and maybe be able to take over for drivers such as Ricky Rudd, Terry Labonte, or maybe Bill Elliott. It may all may depend on how well you are doing in your CAREER. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= | STEP IV: SIGNING YOUR CREW | =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- Now it is time for you to sign your crew from your Crew Chief to your Tire Changers to your Engine/Chasis Builders. A tip that I can give is to try to hire the ones that you think that will be able to get you good finishes around the track, because you want to have good chasis, engines, and bodies. Choosing the right people may be a little tricky to do, and I'll provide examples of right people that may be good enough for the job, but the ones I use in this guide may vary depending on who's available: -=-=-=-=-= | PIT CREW | =-=-=-=-=- ------------------ FRONT TIRE CHANGER ------------------ Name: C. Hayes Salary/Race: $4K Age: 31 Overall: 57 Potential: 96 Bank: $60K Income/Race: $33K Skill: 56 Speed: 58 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------ FRONT TIRE CARRIER ------------------ Name: M. Levato Salary/Race: $3K Age: 24 Overall: 56 Potential: 80 Bank: $60K Income/Race: $128K Skill: 56 Speed: 56 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------- Crew Chief ---------- Name: G. Schaefer Salary/Race: $9K Age: 27 Overall: 55 Potential: 94 Bank: $60K Income/Race: $137K Pitting: 53 Road Course: Superspeedway: 58 Speedway: 58 Short Track: 58 -=-=-=-=-= | Builders | -=-=-=-=-= -------------- Engine Builder -------------- Name: M. Spangler Salary/Race: $10K Age: 28 Overall: 57 Potential: 57 Bank: $60K Income/Race: $137K **SKILLS** Durability : 56 Power : 59 Efficiency : 58 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- -------------- Chasis Builder -------------- Name: L. Hintze Salary/Race: $9K Age: 28 Overall: 55 Potential: 89 Bank: 60K Income/Race: $137K Durability: 53 Tire Grip: 58 Tire Wear: 54 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------- Fubricator ---------- Name: C Hynes Salary/Race: $9K Age: 30 Overall: 56 Potential: 78 Bank: $60K Income/Race: $137K Durability: 53 Downforce: 58 Draft: 57 -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- | Part Three: Starting Off Your Career | =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Once you're done with setting up the options for Career Mode, creating your car, signing sponsor as well as your pit crew then you're ready to get your Career underway. You're probably wondering what's different in this year's Career Mode than last year's Career Mode? There's quite a few changes that EA Sports had done to make the Career Mode in Thunder 2004 to be much more in-depth, due to the fact that before each race you'll have to choose a chasis, engine and body before the start of each race. When you start racing in your Career you may have to tweak with the car setup to be able to get a good start in the race, but the only way to do so is to practice with the setup to see if it fits to your style. Another thing that you will have to do is to try to race as clean as possible or you'll have grudges with the particular drivers (better known as rivals) but you won't want to get them really mad at you. It may take around a couple years at least to be able to be competitive but it may not be so good in Qualifying due to trying to setup the car to where you can be able to be good amongst your competitors. -------------- Shop Additions -------------- As you progress throughout your Career in NASCAR Thunder 2004 you will be able to buy "Shop Additions" not only for your shop but to be able to make your cars better as well. Here is a list of them for the CHASIS, ENGINES, BODIES: ------ CHASIS ------ ------------ Chasis Shop ------------ Requires: N/A Advantage: Chasis Tire Grip +10 Added Benefits: Increase Storage Space +2 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------- Tire Mounting Machine --------------------- Requires: N/A Advantage: Chasis Tire Wear +10 Added Benefits: N/A ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------- Shock Dyno ---------- Requires: Chasis Shop Advantage: Chasis Tire Grip +10 Added Benefits: Allows building track specific chasis ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- -------- Skid Pad -------- Requires: Tire Mounting Machine Advantage: Chasis Tire Wear +10 Added Benefits: N/A ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- -------------- Wheel Balancer -------------- Requires: Shock Dyno Advantage: Chasis Tire Grip +10 Added Benefits: N/A ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------- Welding Station --------------- Requires: Skid Pad Advantage: Chasis Tire Wear +10 Added Benefits: Decreases repair and overhaul cost ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------- Setup Shop ---------- Requires: Wheel Balance Advantage: Chasis Tire Grip +10 Added Benefit: Increase Storage Shop +2 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------- Alignment System ---------------- Requires: Welding Station Advantage: Chasis Tire Wear +10 Added Benefits: Decrease build cost ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------- Tire Testing Shop ----------------- Requires: Setup Shop Advantage: Chasis Tire Grip +10 Added Benefits: N/A ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------- Surface Plate ------------- Requires: Alignment System Advantage: Chasis Tire Wear +10 Added Benefits: Decrease build, repair and overhaul time ------- ENGINES ------- ----------- Engine Shop ----------- Requires: N/A Advantage: Engine Power +10 Added Benefits: Storage Space +2 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------ Engine Hoist ------------ Requires: N/A Advantage: Engine Efficency +10 Added Benefits: N/A ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------- Engine Dyno ----------- Requires: Engine Shop Advantage: Engine Power +10 Added Benefits: Allow track specific engine ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------- Engine Balancer --------------- Requires: Engine Hoist Advantage: Engine Efficiency +10 Added Benefits: N/A ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------- Boring Plates ------------- Requires: Engine Dyno Advantage: Engine Power +10 Added Benefits: N/A ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------- Flowbench --------- Requires: Engine Balancer Advantage: Engine Efficiency +10 Added Benefits: Decrease repair and overhaul cost ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------- Engine Shop Expansion --------------------- Requires: Boring Plates Advantage: Engine Power +10 Added Benefits: Increase Storage Space +2 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------- O2 Sensors ---------- Requires: Flowbench Advantage: Engine Efficiency +10 Added Benefits: Decrease build cost ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- -------------- Honing Machine -------------- Requires: Engine Shop Expansion Advantage: Engine Power +10 Added Benefits: N/A ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------ Machine Shop ------------ Requires: O2 Sensors Advantage: Engine Efficiency +10 Added Benefits: Decrease build, repair and overhaul time ------ BODIES ------ --------------- Fubricator Shop --------------- Requires: N/A Advantage: Body Downforce +10 Added Benefits: Increase Storage Space +2 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------ Body Forming Tools ------------------ Requires: N/A Advantage: Body Drafting +10 Added Benefits: N/A ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------- Templates --------- Requires: Fubricator Shop Advantage: Body Downforce +10 Added Benefits: Build track specific body ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------- Simulation Software ------------------- Requires: Body Forming Tools Advantage: Body Drafting +10 Added Benefits: N/A ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------ Sheet Metal Plates ------------------ Requires: Templates Advantage: Body Downforce +10 Added Benefits: N/A ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------- Laser Scanner ------------- Requires: Simulation Software Advantage: Body Drafting +10 Added Benefits: Decrease repair and overhaul cost ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------- Body Shop --------- Requires: Sheet Metal Plates Advantage: Body Downforce +10 Added Benefits: Increase Storage Space +2 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------- Wind Tunnel ----------- Requires: Laser Scanner Advantage: Body Drafting +10 Added Benefits: Decrease build cost ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------- Panel Stamping System --------------------- Requires: Body Shop Advantage: Body Downforce +10 Added Benefits: N/A ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------- 40% Scale Model --------------- Requires: Wind Tunnel Advantage: Body Drafting +10 Added Benefits: Decrease build, repair and overhaul time -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- | Building/Repairing Chasis, Engine, & Body | =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Building a chasis, engine, and body is quite simple, if you manage to get a few shop additions to where you can have more chasis, engine and body built. It may take a while depending on the shop additions that you choose but once you can start having them built the more of a chance that you may have out on the track. Repairing them is a different story, because you should keep a good eye on all three to see what condition they are in and if they are worn down quite a bit like: o------------------o | EXAMPLE | |------------------| | Engine | | Condition: 76 | | Power: 75 | | Durability: 77 | | Efficiency: 74 | o------------------o If your engine is in this shape as you see in the example then you should put some money towards having it repaired and a tip that I can give is to make sure that it takes around 3 races to do so. This also goes for the chasis, and bodies of your car as well, because if you don't repair those as well you can guarantee that you won't run well at the tracks you visit. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= | 8. Season Mode | | [NT2004 8] | =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- Season mode is like Career Mode but different in basically every way. In this mode you choose a driver of your liking For example one of the Winston Cup drivers like Christian Fittapaldi, Ward Burton, one of the Busch drivers such as David Green, Tina Gordon, one of the Legends Bobby Allison, Cale Yarborough or you can use one of the car or cars you created. Here you still have 20 seasons to complete but you won't have to worry about signing sponsors, team, and building or repairing your car. Of course the only thing that may be similar to Career Mode is the setup of it like the amount of races that you want to do, race length, A.I. Difficulty, Damage, and Yellow Flags. In Season Mode you don't need any tips to get through it because if you had a chance to race at the tracks then you're ready for Season Mode. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= | 8. Lightning Challenges | | [NT2004 8] | =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- In this section is a list of all the Lightning Challenges in NASCAR Thunder 2004 but I have sorted them out by difficulty like you will see in the game itself. Here you will find the name of the challenge along with the driver, track, info and a strategy for each of the challenges that are featured in the game: -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= | Part One: Rookie | | [NT2004 8.1] | =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- ------------------ Kissing the Bricks ------------------ Driver: Bill Elliott Track: Indianapolis Motor Speedway Event: 2002 Brikyard 400 Requirements: Strategy: --------- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------- Chrome Horn ----------- Driver: Jeff Gordon Track: Bristol Motor Speedway Event: 2002 Sharpie 500 Requirements: Strategy --------- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------- Out in Clean Air ---------------- Driver: Jeff Gordon Track: Darlington Raceway Event: 2002 Southern 500 Requirements: Strategy: --------- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------- Every Drop Counts ----------------- Driver: Kevin Harvick Track: Chicagland Speedway Event: 2002 Tropicana 400 Requirements: Finish 1st Stay Above 11th Stay on Track No Reckless Driving Strategy: --------- Kevin Harvick managed to win for a second straight year at Chicagoland Speedway in 2002. Early in the race Harvick spun but managed not to hit anything, and it looked that Harvick may not be able to win the race after that. Later in the race during his last pitstop of the race he gambled on gas and managed to go the rest of the race to win it. The win didn't come easy, Harvick had to hold off Jeff Gordon to earn this win. In this challenge you'll have a few laps to try to hold off Jeff Gordon as well as Tony Stewart, and Jimmie Johnson to win the race as well as the challenge. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------- Second Time's A Charm --------------------- Driver: Jamie McMurray Track: Lowe's Motor Speedway Event: 2002 UAW-Damiler Chyrsler 500 Strategy: --------- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------- So Close... ----------- Driver: Jerry Nadeau Track: Infineon Raceway Event: 2002 Dodge/Save Mart 350 Requirements: Finish 1st Stay Above 11th Stay on Track No Reckless Driving Strategy: --------- In the 2002 race at Infineon Raceway Jerry Nadeau was in the lead with a five second lead over second place driver Ricky Rudd. With just three laps remaining in the race Jerry's car breaks down as he came out of turn 10, luckily he managed to pull it off the track to keep the race under green. Ricky Rudd went on to win the race with Nadeau disappointed with what happened. This time Nadeau's car won't break down and you'll have a little over a lap to get Jerry that win that he wanted so badly. You'll have around a half a second to pull off the win and be able to hold off Ricky Rudd to pass this challenge. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------- 41st to 1st ----------- Driver: Elliott Sadler Track: Daytona International Speedway Event: 2002 Daytona 500 Requirements: Finish 1st Stay Above 12th Stay on Track No Reckless Driving Strategy: --------- In the 2002 Daytona 500 there was a multiple car wreck which brought out the red flag to stop the race to ensure a green flag finish. Sterling Marlin was in the lead at the time of the red flag but while under the red flag Marlin got of his car to look at the damage he got after making contact with Jeff Gordon. While looking at the damage he started working on it which isn't allowed during a red flag. Marlin was penalized to the back of the pack for that move which gave Ward Burton the lead with Elliott Sadler running in second. Sadler had a chance to win the race but wasn't able to catch Ward to pass him to take the win. Now here's the chance to get Elliott the biggest win of the year but you'll have to get around Ward Burton to pass this challenge. When this challenge starts you'll have a little over a lap to try to pass Ward Burton to get the win as well as passing the challenge. If are able to you might be able to pass him before heading into turns 1 - 2. One way you can go about passing him is to fake him by going up high, if he manages to drift up high then make your move down to the inside to pass him. Once you have done that then you'll have to hold off anyone who tries to pass you. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------- Defending Champ --------------- Driver: Ryan Newman Track: Talladega Superspeedway Event: Requirements: Strategy: --------- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------- Do-Over ------- Driver: Ricky Rudd Track: Pocono Raceway Event: Requirements: Strategy: --------- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------- Eye on the Purse ---------------- Driver: Tony Stewart Track: Homestead-Miami Event: Strategy: --------- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------ Nope, It's my turn ------------------ Driver: Michael Waltrip Track: Daytona International Speedway Event: Strategy: --------- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------- Eight Tires are better than 4 ----------------------------- Driver: Ricky Craven Track: Darlington Raceway Event: Strategy: --------- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------ Texas 2-Step ------------ Driver: Ricky Rudd Track: Texas Motor Speedway Event: 2003 Samsung/RadioShack 500 Requirements: Stay Above 30th No Car Damage Stay on Track No Reckless Driving Strategy: --------- The 2003 race at the Texas Motor Speedway Ricky Rudd had to avoid multiple wrecks that happened in front of him throughout the race. If you have watched the video closely Rudd will mention when you see the wreck read it and see where the cars are going to have a good shot at avoiding the wreck. In this challenge you'll have to make it through one more wreck in turns 3 - 4. If you sustain any damage you'll automatically fail the challenge and will have to start over again. A good way of getting through this challenge when it starts slow down to a good amount so you don't end up going through the wreck real fast. When the wreck happens the cars that may be involved will go up high but there may be a chance that they may go all the way up to the wall. You want to totally avoid hitting any of the cars that spin and make it through safely back to the line to pass this challenge. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------- Hold'em Off ----------- Driver: Kurt Busch Track: Martinsville Speedway Event: Strategy: --------- -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- | Part Two: Veteran | | [NT2004 8.2] | =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= --------------------------- Rain or Shine, I'll Take It --------------------------- Driver: Michael Waltrip Track: Daytona International Speedway Event: Strategy: --------- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------- Segment One ----------- Driver: Jeff Burton Track: Lowe's Motor Speedway Event: Strategy: --------- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------- Ah, I can go 38 --------------- Driver: Dale Earnhardt Jr. TracK: Talladega Superspeedway Event: Strategy: --------- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------- Time to Go? ----------- Driver: Robby Gordon Track: Watkins Glen International Event: Strategy: --------- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------ Slicing and Dicing ------------------ Driver: Kevin Harvick Track: Bristol Motor Speedway Event: Strategy: --------- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------- A Green Win ----------- Driver: Bobby Labonte Track: Martinsville Speedway Event: Strategy: --------- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- -------------- Worst to First -------------- Driver: Sterling Marlin Track: Darlington Raceway Event: Strategy: --------- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------- Spin Cycle ---------- Driver: Dale Jarrett Track: Michigan International Speedway Event: Strategy: --------- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------ The Big Show ------------ Driver: Casey Mears Track: Daytona International Speedway Event: Strategy: --------- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------- Slipping and Sliding --------------------- Driver: Dale Jarrett Track: North Carolina Speedway Event: Strategy: --------- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------- Excuse Me, Coming Through ------------------------- Driver: Bobby Labonte Track: Atlanta Motor Speedway Event: Strategy: --------- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- -------------- Texas Shootout -------------- Driver: Ryan Newman Track: Texas Motor Speedway Event: Strategy: --------- -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= | Part Three: Legend | | [NT2004 8.3] | =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- --------------- It's About Time --------------- Driver: Johnny Benson Track: North Carolina Speedway Event: 2002 Pop Secret Popcorn 400 Strategy: --------- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------- Run with the Big Dogs --------------------- Driver: Greg Biffle Track: Atlanta Motor Speedway Event: Strategy: --------- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------- New England 5 ------------- Driver: Ward Burton Track: New Hampshire International Speedway Event: 2002 New England 300 Strategy: --------- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------- If only.... ----------- Driver: Ricky Craven Track: Darlington Raceway Event: Strategy: --------- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------ If I had a few more laps ------------------------ Driver: Jeff Green Track: Richmond International Raceway Event: Strategy: --------- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------ Smoke Screen ------------ Driver: Jeremy Mayfield Track: Daytona International Speedway Event: Strategy: --------- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------- Who needs tires? ---------------- Driver: Jimmie Johnson Track: Dover International Speedway Event: Strategy: --------- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------- I'm staying out --------------- Driver: Terry Labonte Track: Infineon Raceway Event: 2002 Dodge/Save Mart 350 Strategy: --------- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------- Aero Push --------- Driver: Mark Martin Track: Dover International Speedway Event: Strategy: --------- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------- Nothing to show for it ---------------------- Driver: Joe Nemechek Track: Homestead-Miami *2002 Edition* Event: 2002 Ford 400 Strategy: --------- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------- One more chance --------------- Driver: Steve Park Track: Richmond International Raceway Event: Strategy: --------- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------- Hot for a win ------------- Driver: Rusty Wallace Track: Phoenix International Raceway Event: Strategy: --------- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- -------- The Rock -------- Driver: Mike Skinner Track: North Carolina Speedway Event: Strategy: --------- -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= | Part Four: Bonus | | [NT2004 8.4] | =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- ----------------- On Second Thought ----------------- Driver: Dale Earnhardt Jr. Track: Daytona International Speedway Event: Strategy: --------- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------- 4 more Eagles ------------- Driver: Dale Jarrett Track: Michigan International Speedway Event: Strategy: --------- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------ Lapper ------ Driver: Matt Kenseth Track: Richmond International Raceway Event: Strategy: --------- -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= | 9. Speed Zone | | [NT2004 9] | =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- This is a new game mode that EA Sports decided to add in this year's NASCAR Thunder game. In this mode you will learn the basic parts of racing in NASCAR like passing, drafting, time trials, and blocking. Each part has 3 levels except for the Time Trials which has 6 levels to be able to pass that particular part of the Speed Zone. I will provide the points for each of the sections of the Speed Zone so you are familiar with how many point you can gain or loose for doing a certain thing during whatever you're doing. Any levels of Speed Zone with opponents are using their TEST CARS: ------- Passing ------- +5 - Passing -5 - Passing <---if you get passed -2 - Off Track -5 - Damage ----------------------------------------------------------------------- -------- Drafting -------- +2 - 10 - Drafting -5 - all - Drafting <---if you don't draft -2 - Off Track ----------------------------------------------------------------------- -------- Blocking -------- +5 - Block -5 - Block <---if you don't block -2 - Off Track | Part One: Passing ------- Level 1 ------- Atlanta Motor Speedway Current Score: ---- Max Score: 110 points Medal: ---- Opponents: 22 Gold: 60 points Silver: 40 points Bronze: 20 points -Disqualification- Fall Below 100MPH Reckless Driving Strategy: -------- In the first level of passing takes place at Atlanta Motor Speedway which is considered the fastest track on the NASCAR circuit. When it starts off you'll be in 23rd place and you have to try to pass 4 cars before the three laps are over with. If you're not careful points will be taken off if you obtain damage such as hitting the cars of your fellow competitors or if you go below the white line. Since Atlanta can be a fast track you have to plan your passes and make sure that you can get around them without losing any points to your score because if you fail to get less than 20 points to earn a bronze you won't pass this level. Two more tips that I can provide is don't try to spin any of the other drivers out because it'll be considered reckless driving as well as not going below 100MPH. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Level 2 ------- Lowe's Motor Speedway Current Score: ---- Max Score: 90 points Medal: ---- Opponents: 18 Gold: 60 points Silver: 40 points Bronze: 20 points -Disqualification- Fall Below 100MPH Reckless Driving Strategy: --------- The second level of passing is at Lowe's Motor Speedway another mile and a half D-shape oval. This track is nothing like Atlanta is because you can't go through the turns like you can when at Atlanta. In this level you don't have as many opponents like in Level 1, but this time you'll start 19th and is the same as in Level 1 pass the cars to earn points. Go off the track or hit something such as one of your fellow competitors you'll lose points. With the turns being different from those at Atlanta, you have to be careful coming out of turn 4 if you're trying to catch up to your opponents because your car may get a bit loose coming out of the turn. If you can carry a good amount of speed through the turns, which should be around 160 - 170MPH in all the turns, but you want to be around 165MPH through turns 3 - 4. At this track you only have a few laps to try to pass as many cars as you can and try to get a high score. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Level 3 ------- Bristol Motor Speedway Current Score: --- Max Score: 45 points Medal: --- Opponents: 9 Gold: 60 points Silver: 40 points Bronze: 20 points -Disqualification- Fall Below 100MPH Reckless Driving Strategy: --------- The third and final level of the Passing of the Speed Zone is at Bristol, also known as the WORLD'S Fastest Half-Mile. In this level you don't have as many opponents that you had in the previous two levels at Atlanta, and Lowe's. Here you only have 9 opponents that you have to worry about and trying to get a real good score at because of it being as short track as it is. You'll have 6 laps to try to pass the 9 cars in front of you but be careful when trying to get by them because you really need to pass clean if you want a very good score. The tips that I can give is the same as I did for the previous two levels, don't go below 100MPH or try to spin someone out because it'll be considered reckless driving. Don't try to be aggressive because if you do and hit something you'll lose the points that you may have gained. --If you managed to get bronze silver or gold in all three levels you will unlock a Thunder Plate for the car that you used in passing-- -------- Drafting -------- Level 1 ------- Talladega Superspeedway Current Score: --- Max Score: +100 Medal: --- START OFF: -20 Opponents: 1 -Ricky Craven- Gold: 60 points Silver: 40 points Bronze: 20 points -Disqualifications- -Fall below 100MPH -Reckless Driving Strategy: --------- The first level of drafting in the Speed Zone of NASCAR Thunder 2004 is at the NASCAR's fastest and most competitive superspeedway Talladega Superspeedway. In this section of Speed Zone you'll only have one opponent and they'll have a bit of a grudge with you. In this case it's Ricky Craven and his grudge against you is -20 and you need to get his respect to where he respects you. What you'll need to do is to press the R2 button to share the draft with them to earn their respect back. In order to pass this you'll need to stay behind them and share the draft with them as much as you possibly can. With Talladega being as long as it is in length you can be able to get them to +100 before the lap is completed. This section of Speed Zone you may be able to find a bit easier than the passing was. There shouldn't be no reason for falling below 100MPH or doing reckless driving, but don't get out of the draft or you'll lose points. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Level 2 ------- Daytona International Speedway Current Score: --- Max Score: +100 Medal: --- START OFF: -32 Opponents: 1 -Jeff Gordon- Gold: 70 points Silver: 50 points Bronze: 30 points -Disqualifications- Fall below 100MPH Reckless Driving Strategy: -------- Level 2 of drafting in Speed Zone is at the world center of racing Daytona International Speedway. This time your opponent is Jeff Gordon and his grudge against you is -32 and like Level 1 you have to draft to gain his respect back. Daytona isn't as long Talladaga is but you should be able to pull off what you did at Talladega by getting your respect with your opponent at +100. Just like Lv. 1 you should be able to try to stay behind Gordon to earn back some respect or maybe earn all of his respect back in this level. There shouldn't be no reason for falling below 100MPH or doing reckless driving, but don't get out of the draft or you'll lose points. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Level 3 ------- Michigan International Speedway Current Score: --- Max Score: +100 Medal: --- START OFF: -40 Opponents: 1 -Tony Stewart- Gold: 60 points Silver: 40 points Bronze: 20 points -Disqualifications- Fall below 100MPH Reckless Driving Strategy: --------- The third and final level of the drafting session of Speed Zone is at the Michigan International Speedway. A track where there's around 3 or 4 grooves to choose from so it may think that'll be harder to earn back Tony Stewart's respect when you start off at -40. In this one you'll have around 1 3/4 laps to try to get back that 40 points on his respect as well as up to +100 before it's over with. Of course this might be a bit harder because you won't know where Stewart is going to be in the turns high, low, or maybe in the middle of them. Be sure to try to stay behind him and not get out of his draft so you don't end up losing any points for not drafting with him. Like I said in the other two for the Drafting that there shouldn't be no reason for falling below 100MPH or driving reckless. --If you managed to get bronze silver or gold in all three levels you will unlock a Thunder Plate for the car that you used in passing-- ----------- Time Trials ----------- Level 1 ------- Devil's Canyon Speedway Current Score: --- Medal: --- Opponents: 0 Gold: 22.950 sec. Silver: 23.500 sec. Bronze: 24.750 sec. -Disqualifications- Fall below 10MPH Time exceeds 24.750 sec. Strategy: --------- ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Level 2 ------- Sawmill Raceway Current Score: --- Medal: --- Opponents: 0 Gold: 35.750 sec. Silver: 36.500 sec. Bronze: 37.250 sec. Disqualifications Fall below 10MPH Time exceeds 37.250 sec. Strategy: --------- ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Level 3 ------- Dockside Current Score: --- Medal: --- Opponents: 0 Gold: 29.250 sec. Silver: 29.750 sec. Bronze: 30.750 sec. -Disqualifications- Fall below 10MPH Time exceeds 30.750 sec. Strategy: --------- ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Level 4 ------- New York Metro Speedway Current Score: --- Medal: --- Opponents: 0 Gold: 31.000 sec. Silver: 31.750 sec. Bronze: 32.250 sec. -Disqualifications- Fall below 10MPH Time exceeds 32.250 sec. Strategy: --------- ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Level 5 ------- Watkins Glen International Current Score: --- Medal: --- Opponents: 0 Gold: 22.250 sec. Silver: 22.750 sec. Bronze: 23.250 sec. -Disqualifications- Fall below 10MPH Time exceeds 23.250 sec. Strategy: --------- ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Level 6 ------- Infineon Raceway Current Score: --- Medal: --- Opponents: 0 Gold: 34.850 sec. Silver: 35.250 sec. Bronze: 35.600 sec. -Disqualifications- Fall below 10MPH Time exceeds 35.600 sec. Strategy: --------- --If you managed to get bronze silver or gold in all three levels you will unlock a Thunder Plate for the car that you used in passing-- -------- Blocking -------- Level 1 ------- Talladega Superspeedway Current Score: ---- Max Score: 55 points Medal: ---- Opponents: 11 Gold: 35 points Silver: 25 points Bronze: 15 points -Disqualifications- Fall Below 100MPH Reckless Driving Strategy: --------- This is the first level of Blocking of Speed Zone in NASCAR Thunder 2004. The fist level is at Talladega Superspeedway, and the purpose of this is to see how well you can block or as some may say hold off. You will have one lap to block drivers that come behind you, but luckily they only do one at a time so there isn't really much pressure except for once you have successfully blocked the car behind you another one will be on the way. In Level One you will have to try to block up to around eleven opponents before this level is done with. Be sure not to fall below 100MPH or end up driving recklessly. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Level 2 ------- Daytona International Speedway Current Score: ---- Max Score: 65 points Medal: ---- Opponents: 13 Gold: 45 points Silver: 35 points Bronze: 25 points -Disqualifications- Fall below 100MPH Reckless Driving Strategy: --------- Just like Level One you have to do some blocking but this time it's at Daytona International Speedway. In Level 2 you will have an extra two opponents that you'll have to block within the lap that you have to block the thirteen opponents. All you need to do here is to block the opponents to gain five points for each time that you have successfully blocked, and don't let them pass or you'll lose five points off your score. If you have successfully blocked nine of the opponents you are awarded with the Gold but if you get lower than 45 you can always try again to get the Gold. Just like Level One you will be disqualified for falling below 100MPH or for reckless driving. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Level 3 ------- Michigan International Speedway Current Score: --- Max Score: 80 - 85 points Medal: --- Opponents: 16 - 17 Gold: 35 points Silver: 25 points Bronze: 15 points -Disqualifications- Fall below 100MPH Reckless Driving Strategy: --------- The third and final level of blocking of Speed Zone in NASCAR Thunder 2004. After doing blocking sessions at Talladega Superspeedway and Daytona International Speedway now it's time to try to test your blocking skills at the 2 mile track of Michigan International Speedway. In this final level of blocking you will have anywhere from 16 - 17 opponents that you have to block within the two laps that you get at MIS. Your opponents may try to be up high, down low, or in the middle with the multiple grooves that you can race at Michigan. If you have the passing indicators on you will be able to know where your opponents will be trying to pass. There may be a chance that you may have to block only sixteen drivers, but there may be a possibility that you have to block one more driver before this session is over with. --If you managed to get bronze silver or gold in all three levels you will unlock a Thunder Plate for the car that you used in passing-- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 10. Thunder Plates ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Here is a list of the 171 Thunder Plates that you can earn throughout NASCAR Thunder 2004: -------- PAGE 1 -------- ATLANTA QUALIFY BRISTOL QUALIFY CALIFORNIA QUALIFY CHICAGO QUALFIY DARLINGTON QUALIFY DAYTONA QUALIFY DOVER QUALIFY HOMESTEAD QUALIFY INDIANAPOLIS QUALIFY -------- PAGE 2 -------- INFINEON QUALIFY KANSAS QUALIFY LAS VEGAS QUALIFY LOWE'S QUALIFY MARTINSVILLE QUALIFY MICHIGAN QUALIFY NEW HAMPSHIRE QUALIFY PHOENIX QUALIFY POCONO QUALIFY -------- PAGE 3 -------- NORTH CAROLINA QUALIFY RICHMOND QUALIFY TALLADEGA QUALIFY TEXAS QUALIFY WATKINS GLEN QUALIFY ATLANTA NIGHT CALIFORNIA NIGHT CHICAGOLAND NIGHT DARLINGTON NIGHT ------- Page 4 -------- DAYTONA INFIELD DOVER NIGHT 2002 HOMESTEAD HOMESTEAD INFIELD INFINEON NIGHT KANSAS NIGHT LAS VEGAS NIGHT MARTINSVILLE NIGHT MICHIGAN NIGHT -------- Page 5 -------- NORTH CAROLINA NIGHT PHOENIX INFIELD POCONO INFIELD RICHMOND DAY SAWMILL SPEEDWAY TALLADEGA NIGHT TEXAS INFIELD TIBURON IN'L WATKINS GLEN NIGHT -------- Page 6 -------- SHOOTOUT (EVENT) ALL-STAR (EVENT) SZ DRAFTING SZ PASSING SZ TIME TRIALS SZ BLOCKING KITT PAINT BUSTER AUTON BOBBY ALLISON -------- Page 7 -------- JUNIOR JOHNSON ALAN KULWICKI ELMO LANGLEY TINY LUND BENNY PARSONS RICHARD PETTY BOBBY WAWAK CALE YARBOROUGH DALE EARNHARDT -------- Page 8 -------- JOE MOORE BARNEY HALL RON HORNADAY BRIAN VICKERS DALE EARNHARDT JR. JEFF BURTON COY GIBBS MIKE BLISS KEVIN HARVICK -------- Page 9 -------- TINA GORDON SCOTT WIMMER KEVIN GRUBB CHASE MONTGOMERY DAVID GREEN ASHTON LEWIS STANTON BARRETT MICHAEL WALTRIP EA SPORTS CAR (2004) --------- Page 10 --------- FANTASY DRIVERS J. GREEN (2001) J. NADEAU (USG) J. NADEAU (CAMO) R. WALLACE (2002) R. WALLACE (ELVIS) R. WALLACE (HARLEY) M. SKINNER (2002) M. SKINNER (LOONEY) --------- Page 11 --------- T. LABONTE (CHEEZ IT) T. LABONTE (GOT MILK?) M. MARTIN (2002) M. MARTIN (KRAFT) B. ELLIOTT (BRICKYARD) B. ELLIOTT (MUPPET) J. BENSON (EAGLE ONE) J. BENSON (MUPPET) J. BENSON (2002) --------- Page 12 --------- B. BODINE (MEMORIAL) R. NEWMAN ('02 MOBIL) R. NEWMAN ('02 SONY) R. NEWMAN (MOBIL) R. NEWMAN (SONY) R. NEWMAN (2002) M. WALTRIP (2002) M. WALTRIP ('02 STARS) M. WALTRIP (2001) --------- Page 13 --------- M. KENSETH ('02 MDC) M. KENSETH ('02 AT&T) B. LABONTE (HULK) B. LABONTE (2002) B. LABONTE (FRANKEN) J. MAYFIELD (MOUNTAIN) J. MAYFILED (2002) J. MAYFIELD (MUPPETS) J. MAYFIELD ('02 MD) --------- Page 14 --------- T. STEWART (WC CHAMP) T. STEWART (2002) T. STEWART (SNOOPY) T. STEWART (2001) T. STEWART (POLAR BEAR) W. BURTON (ACERT) W. BURTON (CAT RENTAL) W. BURTON (2002) W. BURTON (FLAMES) --------- Page 15 --------- J. GORDON (2002) J. GORDON (PEPSI) J. GORDON (200th) J. NEMECHEK (LOONEY) J. NEMECHEK (KRACKER) K. HARVICK (2002) K. HARVICK (LOONEY) S. PARK (LONEY) R. GORDON (FDNY) --------- Page 16 --------- R. GORDON ('02 REVERSE) R. GORDON (LOONEY) R. CRAVEN (2002) S. MARLIN (2002) C. MEARS (MUPPETS) C. FITTAPALDI (BERRY) C. FITTAPALDI (Pills) C. FITTAPALDI (GRANDS) C. FITTAPALDI (CHEX) --------- Page 17 --------- K. PETTY ('02 SPRINT) K. PETTY ('02 CHARITY) J. JOHNSON (POWER OF PRIDE) D. JARRETT (EARLY) D. JARRETT (2002) D. JARRETT (MUPPETS) K. BUSCH (COMMERCIAL) K. BUSCH ('01 SHARPIE) K. BUSCH ('01 RUBBERMAID) --------- Page 18 --------- K. BUSCH (SHARPIE) J. BURTON ('02 CITGO) J. BURTON ('02 PEELOUT) COCA-COLA HOME DEPOT McDONALD'S NBC SPORTS R. PETTY DRIVING EXP. SHOCK --------- Page 19 --------- VAMPIRE SPIDER FLAMES SAFARI CAC PAINT SCHEMES CAC SPONSORS All Alt. Paint Schemes All Tracks CAMEOS ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 11. Credits / Legal Notice ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Here I would like to give credit or say thanks for those who may have helped me in the making of this helpful guide for my guide as well as a legal notice. ----- CJayC ----- I would like to give credit to CJayC for posting this guide for NASCAR Thunder 2004 on Game FAQs ----------------- You "The Readers" ----------------- I would like to give you "The Readers" for reading this guide and I hope that you found this guide to be quite helpful to you. +=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=+ +-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=+ | Allowed Sites | | Banned Sites | |-----------------------------| |----------------------------------| | GameFAQs: www.gamefaqs.com | | CheatCC: www.cheatcc.com | | IGN: http://faqs.ign.com | | Cheats Guru: www.cheatsguru.com | | Neoseeker: www.neoseekr.com | | Cheat Codes: www.cheatcodes.com | +-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-+ +-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=+ This document is copyrighted ©2003 Stephen "Warhawk" Harris. Any site wishing to host this Walkthrough will have to e-mail me in advance to ask permission. If you post it and then e-mail me about it, I will have to ask you to remove it from the site. Plus please don't try anything stupid with this guide because if any author finds out about someone doing something with their work it is considered "copyright infringement" and is HIGHLY ILLEGAL. So, if you want to host it please come to me first and ask politely, then I'll think it over. ============================================================================== 12. Thank You ============================================================================== THANK YOU FOR READING THIS RACING GUIDE FOR NASCAR THUNDER 2004 BY STEPHEN "WARHAWK" HARRIS. PLEASE IF YOU HAVE ANY COMMENTS, QUESTIONS, OR COMPLIMENTS PLESE CONTACT ME WITH THEM AND ONCE AGAIN THANKS FOR READING. I'LL BE SURE TO TRY TO ANSWER TO ALL E-MAILS. I HAVE PLANS OF WRITING MORE GUIDES FOR SOME GREAT GAMES AND BE SURE TO BE ON THE LOOK OUT FOR NEW GUIDES BY WARHAWK AS I PLAN OF WRITING GUIDES FOR A WHILE. ---Any facts used in this guide relating to tracks, drivers, and/or anything else are owned by their respective owners--- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ End of Document. Copyright ©2003, Stephen "Warhawk" Harris