Difference between NASCAR and Formula 1
Formula one racing is revered in esteem as one of the greatest of motor-sports on Earth. That said, NASCAR(National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing) is miles apart from Formula One. Though both these sports are enormously popular and have a huge following worldwide, they are placed at opposing ends of the spectrum of auto racing.
Machinery
Cars used by Formula One are exceptionally hi-tech. Each car possesses a 605kg light chassis, engines that are high-revving, sophisticated and intricately aerodynamic. Driver aids are also hi-tech and include devices such as electronic traction control and so on.
The vehicles of NASCAR that are closed-wheel are built to a template with identical silhouette to make sure that none of the manufacturers has the upper hand. The cars used in NASCAR are very heavy, weighing around 1540kg with simpler mechanics involved like the manual gearboxes and chassis that is steel-tube framed. These cars are still fueled by leaded petrol.
Qualifying Strategies
The qualifying system for Formula One racing was adopted in the 2006 season. Dubbed as "knock-out" qualifying; the system is divided into 3 periods. In each period, the drivers run laps to try to move into the next period, doing as many laps as they wish, with the drivers being the slowest "knocked out" at the period end and their positions on grid are set, depending on their best lap times. Elimination of the cars is done in this way until ten cars continue to have the eligibility to qualify for the pole position in the 3rd and ultimate period.
The NASCAR qualifying will begin at the time scheduled with cars taking to the track, one at a time. The drivers usually begin from the pit road and they have less than one complete lap to reach speed. The first time the start or the finish line is crossed, the drivers are given the green flag. The drivers are provided two laps to set the best time, and the quicker of the two laps are considered as their official qualifying time for NASCAR.
Spectators
One thing that NASCAR gets right and what F1 can learn is the manner in which the spectators are treated. NASCAR fans get to see the drivers more often, while the F1 dwarfing grids with over 40 cars indicate a lot of action.
The Points System
In Formula One, the ten cars at the top earn points, with the winner getting 25 points. The cumulative of all the points won in each race determines the constructor and the driver with the maximum points as the World Champions. If the cars of one team finish with the points, then they obtain the Constructors Championship points, which mean that the constructors and Drivers Championship have varied results often. To get points, the Formula One driver has to be classified. To be classified, it is not required for him to complete the race but finish at least ninety percent of the distance that would be covered by the winner.
In the Chase points system that NASCAR follows, all the points are added up after twenty six races and the top twelve in points are qualified for the final ten races. The goal is to win the NASCAR Sprint Cup. The NASCAR points are assigned in the same way as the remaining of the season to decide the Champion. The Camping World Truck Series and the Nationwide Series do not employ the Chase format. The points of every race are totaled up at the end and the driver with the maximum points is awarded the Championship. Five bonus points are given to a driver leading in any of the laps, and an additional five to the driver leading in the maximum number of laps.
Similarities and Differences
- Formula One race cars are as aerodynamically perfect as possible
- NASCAR is definitely not a prototype for the future of Formula One, yet both have a lot to learn from each other
- Formula One car racing is entirely based on the driver skills
- While the F1 engine reaches approximately 840 miles, the NASCAR engine more or less reaches 800 miles
- The NASCAR system is deliberately tweaked a bit to keep the immense interest aflame and glowing
- Regardless of everything, Formula One and NASCAR indeed provides exciting entertainment and each has its own fan base
