The similarly-configured, 1.5- and two-mile tracks dominate the schedule, but close on their heels are flat tracks.
With two races held each year at Phoenix International Raceway, Martinsville Speedway, Pocono Raceway, and this week’s venue New Hampshire Motor Speedway—plus a single event at Indianapolis Motor Speedway and two on a short track that could be considered among many track types (Richmond International Raceway) there are plenty of comparative stats to consider.
New Hampshire, Pocono, and Indy line up in single file—which is actually quite similar to how drivers have to go through the minimally banked corners.
Flat tracks are rhythm courses. Drivers have to hit very precise marks in order to get around the track with maximum speed. On the surface, New Hampshire would not seem to have much in common with the 2.5-mile courses of Pocono and Indy, but they require the same general skill. Drivers have to enter the turns gently and time their acceleration so they get the most velocity exiting the turns. This is the same tactic used on the short frontstretch in Loudon, NH, the short chutes at either end of Indianapolis, or the longest straight in NASCAR in Long Pond, PA.
The best thing about the coming weeks is flat track masters have a chance to establish some domination and separate from the crowd. This also gives fantasy owners an opportunity to differentiate their lineup and lessen some of the reliance on traditionally strong unrestricted, intermediate speedway drivers.
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