NASCAR'S CRAZIEST FINISHES | British Guys Reaction

We're back with another British Guy Reacts to American Sports video, Today we're looking at the Craziest finishes in NASCAR!
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Original Video: • The Worst NASCAR Crash...

[@brandonwilliams18]

A few of those finishes where everyone was all together at the end were on NASCAR's bigger tracks, Daytona and Talladega. To keep speeds down on those mammoth tracks (2.5 and 2.66 miles, respectively), there used to be a thing called a "restrictor plate" on the engine, which limited how much air could get in. The downside was that this also caused everyone to bunch up, leading to the huge pack racing seen in those clips. Even without the plate, racing on those tracks still yields high-speed pack racing.

[@BritishGuy22]

Damn I never thought they would purposefully slow the cars down! Thanks for that, I had no idea

[@Naskid24]

@@BritishGuy22 The 1987 Winston 500 at Talladega saw the fastest single lap qualifier achieved by Bill Elliott. With a speed of 212.809 mph or 342.482 kph which is very fast. However during the race Bobby Allison A very talented driver blew a tire traveling over 210 mph right next to the grandstands. The car spun around and the air started to lift up the car, and it was heading for the crowd. Luckily between the car and the crowd was a catchfence. The car flew into the catchfence and ripped down 100 feet of fence or 30.48 meters, but somehow the car stayed on the racetrack. 5 spectators got injured by flying debris and one went blind in one eye. This is what forced NASCAR to slow the cars down so they'd stop flying and that's where the restrictor plate comes in.

[@bagnome]

@@BritishGuy22 3:10 And this is one of those tracks where everybody bunches up, however you can see that they're not doing that in the clip. This is because there were a few years where teams figured out that their drivers could talk to other drivers over the radio as there were no rules against that at the time. And they figured out that they could use that to pair off with other drivers and take turns pushing. This coined the terms "two-car tandem" and "tandem drafting." However, fans were not happy about that as the pack racing is the big apeal of these big tracks. So NASCAR made a new rule that teams were only allowed to use their assigned frequencies. Their official reason was that switching frequencies was a distraction to the driver, be we all know it was to bring pack racing back. And it did the trick.

[@xxxYYZxxx]

@@BritishGuy22 "Rusty Wallace completed a 2004 test for NASCAR at Talladega in which he used an unrestricted motor to complete average lap speeds of 221 mph (356 km/h) and top speeds near 230 mph (370 km/h)." Even with restricted motors, the races look so much faster in person compared to a video.

[@skaldlouiscyphre2453]

@@BritishGuy22 Purposely slowing the cars down is common in motorsports. Rally cars, touring cars and GT cars run intake restrictors too.

[@DieselWeasel]

To explain the racing line around the speedways, the banking of the turns allows you to carry a lot more speed than a flat turn would; the outside line can let you go faster, but it's also more distance AND you have to worry about tire marbles causing you to lose grip. It CAN be faster with the right technique or drafting, but it's a gamble.

[@pushpak]

3:12 “Side drafting is a technique that drivers mostly employ when they intend to pass the leading car. The rear car driver aligns his car to the side of the leading car with the nose close to the front of the rear wheel of the leading car. This pushes the oncoming air into the back wheel of the leading car and his front spoilers. The air creates an additional drag on the leading car slowing it down. This is when the rear car driver attempts to pass the other car. Side drafting can only be used with two cars beside each other.” - NASCAR Chronicle

[@davidkellyjr2092]

To add to this.... The reason they were pushing in pairs, was because of the aero package, when two cars lined up like they they were faster then any other combination. the Aero package was quickly changed after that year, and a "no locking bumpers" rule was created (but I think removed on cup level a few years later). The new aero package leads to either side by side 10-20 rows deep, or a single file line. the single file line is the "fastest" way around since each car is pushing the car infront and getting less air resistance. But the draw back is, you can't pass anyone, or if you get shuffled out you fall straight to the back. In the double file line there are usually comers and goers, and sometimes a third line. but the likely hood of wrecking increases tenfold.

[@darrinlindsey]

There were 2 years in NASCAR that they had the cars set up with a crazy aero package. It made it so, on the two Superspeedways, that the cars went faster if they raced in pairs. They weren't necessarily teammates. They all just knew that they could go faster in pairs. It was quite interesting when the back car started to get hot, the two cars had to switch positions, so the car in back could get fresh air to its radiator. The switch wasn't as easy as it sounds. They had to do it in a way that wouldn't separate them, or slow them down too much.

[@ProLGL]

13:53 you’re in luck then because nascar has slowly been adding more and more road course circuit’s to the schedule each year!

[@FH99]

The finish that started at 7:27 was a hugely significant moment for NASCAR. It was the 1979 Daytona 500 and it was the first time the race had been broadcast live from start to finish. The eastern part of the country had been hit by a major snow storm, so a number of people tuned in to this race. What wasn't shown was the fight between Cale Yarborough, Donnie Allison and Bobby Allison. Richard Petty, who won the Daytona 500 for the 6th time, went on to win his 7th series championship that year.

[@eclipze9412]

The wreck and finish at 2:30 was between two drivers who were bitter rivals at this time. Usually NASCAR is hands off, as they like to say "Boys have at it" but it was a rare time where NASCAR stepped in and penalized Carl Edwards (Driver of the 60 in that clip) as it was TOO intentional and they have had run ins multiple times before. All of which resulting in dangerous wrecks. Rubbing is racing, you bump them they will bump you back. That though was too much.

[@BritishGuy22]

Thanks for the info man I appreciate it, I like the term "rubbing is racing" we don't really have that in F1, the drivers complain about every little thing but I guess they are just completely different forms of racing! The only time it's allowed in f1 is the opening lap because the cars are so bunched up

[@skaldlouiscyphre2453]

@@BritishGuy22 Do you watch BTCC? It used to be just as filled with contact as NASCAR. If you don't watch BTCC, we need a 'British Guy Watches British Touring Car Championship For The First Time' video.

[@MarkPentler]

@@skaldlouiscyphre2453yeah it's just the type of car - not the country or culture in Europe. Plenty of bumping and grinding here

[@zandylovesrisk]

@@BritishGuy22 Most NASCAR drivers came up through local short tracks, paved or dirt, low banked so somewhat medium (less than 15 degrees) so making contact to either get position on a driver or push him up at of the racing groove is very common.

[@darrinlindsey]

With the rough racing, you need to understand that the cockpit in a NASCAR is possibly the safest place on earth. Not sure if the Geoff Bodine accident was in a video that you've seen already. If not, check it out sometime. By the time he was done wrecking, all that was left of the car was the cockpit. But, the driver was sitting inside, with barely any injuries.

[@dennisbessey5161]

The way you reacted to this is why I love NASCAR. Its exciting and the racing can be so close and tight!

[@veeker48]

the racing line depends on the track, the banking of the turns, the age of the asphalt, the tire compound, and the weather conditions. at some tracks (homestead-miami for example), it's much faster during race conditions to run the very outside of the track, totally opposite to what people are used to in F1. although nascar does primarily run ovals, each oval is vastly different ranging from 0.5 miles long to 2.66 miles long in all different shapes, sizes, dynamics, and bankings, etc. nascar is a lot more interesting and entertaining than people give it credit for.

[@MarkPentler]

British guy here, agree

[@TrackMaster914]

The racing line depends on the track. Whether it's the banking, or how the surface is, what it does to the tires, etc.

[@sherryarflin726]

I’m not crazy about NASCAR either….but…….I love Drag racing. So much fun.

[@CodyLehman]

Kudos on your interest in the sport! The lines differ because a lot of tracks have variable banking so the top of the track may have more banking than the bottom. So the bottom is the shortest way around, but you can carry slightly more speed around the top. I’m a lifelong NASCAR fan, with a family that races locally as well. The more you learn about the drivers, teams, tracks, strategies, and rivalries the more interesting it becomes. When I’m watching a race I’m not only watching the leaderboard and the cars they are showing, I’m thinking about what pit strategy those cars are on, if those cars have short run or long run speed if there was a caution, is someone taking points in stages instead of going for a win. There are so many moving pieces and parts in these races. They race on ovals that range from .5 miles to 2.6 miles long, and numerous road courses and they’ve added more in recent years. If you are even slightly enjoying it now try to pay attention to the subtle details and you’ll start to enjoy it more. Some tracks “turns” are even different, so even though the corner may look the same as the last it is a completely different shape or banking so if your car is good in 1-2 you might be lacking in 3-4. If you ever want to watch a race live or do a live stream let me know and I can explain a lot of things! Cheers from Tennessee!

[@antman905]

I definitely recommended watching some of the radioactives from 2022. This year has a new car and it has really brought some good racing all year long

[@pushpak]

“Drafting in NASCAR is the art of tailing a leading car closely enough to avoid the turbulence in the wake of the leading car. This enables the trailing driver to increase the speed of his car by up to 5 miles per hour (8 kilometers per hour). It also helps the leading car increase its speed by reducing the drag on the car because the trailing car gives a smooth flow to the air coming off the leading car. Several cars can draft this way in a NASCAR race with all of the benefiting in various degrees.” - NASCAR Chronicle

[@justindyches5510]

What they're doing there at Talladega is called tandem drafting it's where a pair of cars hook up and they can run much faster they're not necessarily teammates but they are helping each other this works at super speedways like Daytona and Talladega

[@hengineer]

Lots of commenters discuss the superspeedway techniques, which are VERY unique. I can discuss general oval racing. Oval Racing is difficult by itself, because to be fast on Ovals, you're fastest if you can maintain the same momentum around the corner, and on a lot of tracks it takes braking to "turn the car", its about straightening yourself as quickly as possible to get back IN the gas, and its often ALL about grip. On fresh tires, its often the inside line that is fastest, because you have better grip to maintain speed lower (shorter line), but on worn tires sometimes the outside lines are fastest because you just don't have the grip to maintain speed down low. They use "tight" and "loose" for "understeer" and "oversteer" respectively in NASCAR. Of course the angle of the track itself often changes that, too, as on flat tracks like New Hampshire, the outside line isn't that fast even on worn tires, and its all about the middle line, and the fastest cars are the ones that can maintain the inside line as long as possible. So adjustments to the chassis are really where a lot of speed is gained. its the balance between speed and grip for the top teams, where some teams prefer speed, some teams prefer grip. Notably at the really large fast tracks like the Indy Oval (Brickyard 400) where Harvick won in 2020 because the other leader (Hamlin) blew out his tires because his team opted for more grip, meaning his tires were getting worn out on the corners while Harvick's car was set for faster speed on the straights but less grip on the corners.

[@hengineer]

notably, as their pits were next to each other, Harvick's crew chief noticed Hamlin's tires were "corded" at the end of each run, meaning there wasn't much material left, so his spotter let Harvick know that to keep pushing Hamlin so he would wear out his tires quicker.

[@gilbertclement5427]

the 1997 finish was not just famous. It was the first race shown start to finish, and had the fist fight at the end.

[@ElectricoGamez]

*1979

[@TNBuckeye1617]

NASCAR has strategy and different lines that drivers can run, but they definitely took away some of the strategy by introducing stage racing to make the beginning and middle of the race important. I wish they would take away the end of stage cautions so that the marathon aspect of racing returns. What’s the point of 3-4 hr long marathon length races when everyone is just doing 3-4 sprints during the race? You can have the stages and award points without calling any cautions (unless they wreck). Anyway, that’s just the perspective of a critic/fan.

[@DieselWeasel]

Everyone always assumes NASCAR just does ovals, but in addition to that, they also have tri-ovals, quad-ovals, and rounded rectangles. Oh, and the road courses, like Watkins Glen, which is where that first clip was from. It's also my favorite race track of all time. Some even call it the superspeedway of road courses.

[@easiazyy]

The racing line in NASCAR. Is usually on the bottom line. However on certain tracks there's multi groove racing which means you can run bottom, middle and top.

[@worldwidewells7452]

I feel like these compilations leave a lot out. I remember Bobby Labonte passing Jr at Pocono in an amazing crossover. Never seen it on a passing video

[@BritishGuy22]

Somebody else mentioned this in a comment! If you have any good NASCAR or any other sports videos recommendations for me to check out that you enjoy let me know!

[@MmmmPiePants]

Surprised the fight wasn't shown from the 1979 Daytona 500 clip. Where Cale punched Donnie's fist with his face.

[@sohum_g]

for road course racing, the track limits are different to f1. stock cars have way less downforce than f1 cars and are built with side by side racing intent versus the stupid amount of downforce from f1 (partial f1 fan here) so they are allowed to go wide to make the turn. however you can’t cut corners like the Esses at COTA or something like that

[@SayKyleNotCow]

I would recommend reacting to 8 Things You (Probably) Didn’t Know About NASCAR by SlapShoes. There is some great info in there especially for people who are new to NASCAR. It’s 2 years old, so one part about car construction is out dated but the video as a whole is very neat and a great view for someone first getting into the sport. Link to the video here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/hnTSn2qoZZKrqJI

[@JayStephens8]

Also most nascar races are between 400-500 miles, this year with the new next gen car the racing at the intermediate tracks have definitely improved, but the short tracks which is a big part of nascar and stock car racing haven’t had really any good races with this new car, the new car has been very good at having a more competitive field 7 races left and there have been 19 winners this year

[@christopherjunkins]

People do rush over to help. These tracks are absolutely MASSIVE, and while they have help around strategically "everywhere" there are still places where they can't... so it can take a few seconds. Not to mention for the safety of the safety response teams, they sometimes have to wait until traffic has cleared. It all depends.

[@dylanmartinez9751]

Every track can have multiple racing lines. Also the favored racing line changes throughout a race. At the beginning of a race, the racing like is on the bottom, but it migrates towards the top later in the race. Also drivers can choose to drive on the outside line to gain momentum on corner exit however that causes tires to wear out faster so drivers do it sparingly.

[@dontebullard7423]

NASCAR has almost always had at least one road course on the schedule now we've got at least 6 to 7 each year.

[@FlamesEnjoyer]

Ill give u a couple reasons on why oval racing is great. Number 1 the track is constantly changing so they have to adjust their cars racing lines etc. Number 2 the car control is insane due to the lack of downforce which has way less than an open wheel car. Number 3 the side by side racing. Most tracks u can have guys battling for an entire fuel run. Number 4 the beating and banging action especially at short tracks when they get the cars figured out there.

[@EricBurns1]

In case this hasn't been mentioned at 2:51 this is called "tandem racing." it has since been banned for safety reasons and the more recent generation of cars have been made so this can't happen. Drivers found that at Talladega and Daytona (known as Super Speedways) it was faster to go as a pair of 2 cars locked bumper to bumper than it was to stay in a giant pack. Teams tried to pair together but if they were to far separated in the field they'd have to pair up with someone around them that was also without a partner lol. NASCAR even made it so the two drivers radios could talk to each other because the guy in the back couldn't see a thing. 11:24 is my favorite NASCAR race ever and it is tied for the closest finish in the Cup Series at .002 seconds. I'm a huge Jimmie Johnson fan and thought there was no way he'd win coming out of turn 4.

[@FinalWX13]

once i saw the marcos x brad finish i knew this was gonna be good

[@Mbarnstein62891]

Track limits only apply to Daytona, Talladega, and Atlanta after Dale Earnhardt's tragic accident at the 2001 Daytona 500.

[@jeremiahhardel2646]

you should react to jimmie johnson's nascar highlights he's argualby the best nascar driver ever

[@FrankEPotts]

And that's why we love NASCAR💯

[@copocopocopocopo]

That last lap crash you saw with the 22 and the 11, and the 18 closing in really quickly, I'm not sure if you know or not, the video you were watching just cuts out without going further, but Hamlin was actually injured in that crash. He injured his vertebrae and missed several races.

[@psymar]

Re. nobody rushing over to help, they have radio communication with the driver, and also they know when the driver lowers the window that's a signal he's okay.

[@johnberg12]

At Daytona & Talladega, most drivers try to draft with a teammate or at least someone running the same manufacturer but with 10 to go or 5 to go in a race your friends are where you find them

[@HPayne62]

NASCAR doesn't have very many rules regarding on-track conduct, really the only ones on the books are to not pass below the yellow line on the banking at superspeedways and to not intentionally wreck a driver out of anger. Beating and banging and physical driving has been a part of the culture of stock car racing since its inception much the way honor and class have always been a part of F1.

[@JasonStraub-ew3ge]

The majority of NASCAR races finish fairly close, especially compared to F1. Every caution in NASCAR brings out the safety car, and resets the field; to include the first lap-down car being allowed to get back on the lead-lap. A lot of their rule packages are geared toward close, competitive racing throughout.

[@littlemuffin943]

the super speedway races are the big packs of cars they draft (slipstream) the whole race like that

[@chrisrogers8567]

These cars do 200 mph every lap not just in certain sections of the track for split second

[@24ever66]

Him saying nascar is more dangerous than F1 made me laugh

[@worldwidewells7452]

There are four kinds of racing in NASCAR: pack, speedway, short track, road course.

[@SAVikingSA]

5, actually, you forgot dirt

[@worldwidewells7452]

@@SAVikingSA absolutely. Thanks for catching that!

[@stilllovetheflag1008]

You got me. I signed up. Good luck my friend.

[@johnnyboy4630]

Could you react to NASCAR’s onboard crashes and NASCAR’s greatest battles please thanks

[@resyrum5301]

There are track limits in Nascar, they're a little loose, but they do exist

[@eclipze9412]

8:06 oh they did. They fought once they got out of their cars.

[@BritishGuy22]

Damn why didn't the clip show it 🤣

[@eclipze9412]

@@BritishGuy22 I have no clue. That race, finish and following fight is one of the most iconic and influential moments in the sports history. If you watch more informative NASCAR content, its bound to get brought up.

[@number5381]

Slapshoes has a great video on that race called "the most important race in nascar history deserves a closer look: the 1978 Daytona 500". I would look at some of Slapshoes other videos like 8 things you didn't know about Nascar among many other. The Nascar radioactive videos are also good.

[@scottbumby5734]

i love your videos

[@livesnshorts6308]

No they also do road courses and there is a limit depending how far off

[@livesnshorts6308]

They used to do tandom draft racing in early 2010s

[@ryanjosephhaywood96]

Yeah indycar is similar to f1 but its the same with tracks in the usa we have a lot of oval tracks but they do race road courses too

[@littlemuffin943]

you have multiple racing lines if the grip and speed is their

[@MegaXboxgeeks]

To many super speedway races here imo it’s the least pure racing NASCR has

[@mattsmith1318]

Traditionally in NASCAR you can do whatever you can get away with until they write a rule against it 😜🇺🇸

[@jaydenmielke4371]

You said that F1 tracks are more difficult. I would argue that they are more straight forward. Hit your braking point at hit the apex. In NASCAR it is all about feel. The drivers have to feel where their car wants to go. that why they aren't always running around the bottom because the car might not be fast there. Both motor sports are tough but NASCAR should not be viewed as easy.

[@45558hjj]

Bro didn’t even reacted to the finishes he only reacted to the crashes😅

[@chady1229]

should react to greatest passes in nascar history some are repeats but not much vid by kkb

[@jedadiahtucker2132]

not gonna take anything from F1 drivers all these men and women at the top are very skilled. The idea that a oval track is easier isn't really true not at the high level anyway. Every race car that goes around a road course is a mix of compromises, it has to be. on a oval these cars really arnt. each end of the track will be a bit different but not like a hair pin right followed by a sweeping left different. So the car is set up on the ragged edge. they are on the verge of spinning out every corner every lap. they wont even go straight, the driver has to force the car right on the straights. on top of that imagine the stress on the driver. being on the edge like that every few seconds every lap, with no lazy corner, or long straight and with cars very close almost the whole race.

[@TrackMaster914]

Being aggressive is fine, it's just that one of the problems in Nascar right now is that the younger drivers are too reckless, and Nascar hasn't really done anything about it

[@scottysmith9687]

And did you see the NASCAR beat the F1 around the track there's a film about it

[@BritishGuy22]

I never saw this...

[@Novusa]

Bacially me and my friend

[@jek4837]

As a Jimmie Johnson fan, I've tried watching Indycar the past couple years. I just don't get how people watch it. It's boring beyond belief most of the time. Nascar has far more passing and battles on the track at any given point. Ovals are fantastic, and the differences in each one make them different races. Most of the finishes you saw were on super speedways (where they are in these massive packs or doubled up).

[@justindyches5510]

NASCAR is not always in an oval there are several road courses throughout the year

[@BritishGuy22]

I didn't know this! Do they use the same chasis' and cars?

[@justindyches5510]

@@BritishGuy22 The specifications for the engines and chassis are the same but the different makers have their own ways of making them since these cars are meant to run the same the guys doing the setup on the cars are just as important as the guy driving the car

[@justindyches5510]

@@BritishGuy22 And regarding the tracks I believe there are four road courses on the NASCAR circuit now out of 36 races, But it should also be understood that not all ovals are the same it could be a large 2.5 mi oval with 33° banking on the turns like Talladega or it could be a small 0.5 mi short track like Martinsville with no banking And then there are a couple oddball tracks like Pocono which is known as the tricky triangle it's a triangle shaped race track and all three turns are asymmetrical so it can be tough to find the right line on that particular track...

[@nilweatherzw]

ELLIOT SADLER DIDNT WIN HE PASSED BELOW THE YELLOW LINE

[@DarkzyYNS]

In NASCAR they actually race, in F1 they play follow the leader

[@pushpak]

“There are different types of drafting strategies that NASCAR drivers can adopt. One of them, tandem drafting, has been banned by NASCAR since 2014. Other types of drafting that are allowed are normal drafting, bump drafting, and side drafting. Any driver that attempts tandem drafting, with the bumper touching the bumper of the leading car is black flagged. The driver has to then go to the pits to answer the race officials. This penalty almost makes sure that the drivers have no chance of finishing the race in a respectable position.” - NASCAR Chronicle

[@easiazyy]

This is not actually true anymore. The reason tandem drafting doesn't happen anymore is because bumpers don't line up like they used to and the aero and horsepower package is different. You can shove the leader all you want but most likely you'll turn them if you push too much.

[@SUPRAMIKE18]

F1 actually isn't faster overall, NASCAR especially on the biggest tracks are almost always doing 180mph or better, F1 only touches those speeds on long straights. And if you put an F1 car head to head with a NASCAR on an oval the NASCAR is gonna win, an F1 car just won't be able too cope with being full throttle for such a long time. That said, an F1 car is the fastest thing on a road course hands down.

[@SUPRAMIKE18]

@@erikeidsmoe6165 you are actually correct but they are very close, fastest top speed ever reached in F1 is 231mph fastest top speed by a NASCAR was 228mph in a testing session. technically not within full NASCAR spec as It wasn't running the restrictor plate, it was just a "let's see what it can really do" test run.

[@Luix6]

that was not ALL of the craziest finishes watch the 2020 daytona 500 finish with ryan newmans crash

[@scottysmith9687]

NASCAR goes the same speed as F1 they both hit a 200 mph and lot of F1 is all about the money put in your car NASCAR is all about the driver all the cars are built the same same 900 horsepower all stick the only differences is drivers a lot of F1 drivers has came over to drive NASCARs they said it's more tough to drive NASCAR than these F1 enascar is no Tech just motor and a steering wheel there's no high-tech in them cars not like F1 all high-tech which is anyone could just drive it cuz of the technology has nothing to do with the driver skills that's why I hate f1 all about the money you put in the car

[@crashstitches79]

Just shows how boring F1 is. This guy follows F1 and he's literally blown away by close racing. Open wheel is the inferior brand of racing when full-bodied cars go 200 mph and finish inches ahead of each other.

[@InlandSeas]

Indycar is pretty good tho

[@xxxYYZxxx]

F1 cars are faster, but NASCAR oval races are faster than any circuit races besides Indy Car oval races. The races are so close because NASCAR is a spec series and speeds are intentionally limited to produce "pack" racing. Note the 1979 race had the 2 fastest cars way out front, 3 more fast cars somewhat behind, with the rest of the field strung out around the oval.