Mile And A Half Tracks Predict The Future

When I first started watching racing, specifically NASCAR, I’d have my weekly discussion with my husband: “Where is the race this weekend?” followed by “What kind of track is it?” and concluded with “Who should be good at this track?” Those three questions provided a solid foundation for the weekend, set my expectations, and established the framework for understanding which track style was most important for a driver’s success in NASCAR. Which brings me to my point: the 1.5-mile tracks are the most indicative of who will succeed this season and whose odds will be higher in the playoffs. It’s not just about who wins; I’m looking at the top 5-6 drivers in each of these races.

Quick Reference Points:

• Atlanta Motor Speedway (Winner: Christopher Bell)*
• Charlotte Motor Speedway (Winner: Ross Chastain)
• Homestead-Miami Speedway (Winner: Kyle Larson)
• Kansas Speedway (Winner: Kyle Larson)
• Las Vegas Motor Speedway (Winner: Josh Berry)
• Texas Motor Speedway (Winner: Joey Logano)

NASCAR 1.5-mile tracks, also known as intermediate tracks, are oval tracks that measure 1.5 miles in length. They are the most common type of track in the NASCAR schedule, forming the bulk of the races. And the facts are the facts, mile-and-a-half tracks make up more than 60% of the playoffs. So when I’m watching the races, when I hear mile and a half, my interest is piqued because they are the closest thing you can get to a crystal ball in predicting the future of that season. 

So why are these tracks significant other than the number of times you see them?

Multiple Grooves: In NASCAR racing, "multiple grooves" refers to the distinct paths or lines that drivers can take around a race track, particularly on mile-and-a-half tracks. These grooves are worn paths on the track surface where tires leave rubber deposits, creating variations in grip and speed. 

Progressive Banking: Progressive banking, where the banking angle increases as you move up the track towards the wall, is a characteristic of some mile-and-a-half tracks, especially those designed for modern NASCAR racing. This type of banking is designed to create more racing lanes and enable more aggressive passing in the corners. We saw it on full display at the recent Kansas race.

Strategic: While superspeedways can be dominated by drafting, mile-and-a-half tracks allow for more individual passing and strategic choices. Drivers can execute moves, use restarts effectively, and manage their car's performance in different conditions. This means drivers can choose to run in the inside groove (lower groove), middle groove, or outside groove (upper groove), depending on their setup and race strategy. 

Excessive Tire Wear: On a mile-and-a-half track, excessive tire wear is a common issue due to the high stress on the tires during aggressive driving and cornering, which requires an additional layer of strategic planning (tire pressure & alignment) for drivers and their teams. 

Want to learn who will fare best in NASCAR without years of fandom under your hood? No problem, pay attention to the mile-and-a-half tracks. Keep your eye on the top finishers for each, and it’s more often than not the clear indicator of who will succeed come November!

*Indicates that this is a 1.5-mile track but lacks traditional structure due to drafting.