Nascar gear ratios for long or short track racing

by Frambo05

Having personally been in stock eliminator racing in the 70's in the NHRA, I know it was common to run specific gear ratios for a certain types of cars. In my case, I ran a 1966 Biscayne, 283 cubic inch, trick converter, 11 inch m&h wrinkle wall slicks. The car ran a 488 gear ratio for a 1/4mile drag race.

Anyway, I've always wondered what rear end ratio Nascar would run short track versus long track.. For example - short track gears vs long track with 3.08 ratio.

Does anyone on this blog have any expert-level knowledge pertaining to this?

Phoenix SuperfanVarsity

892 days ago

Score 1

I don't know how accurate this is but the EA Sports NASCAR games allow you to adjust gear ratio's and there are video game websites which reccommend which packages to use at various tracks. I am not someone who works on cars myself other than the most basic things so I don't know how accurate these are from game to real life, however all other aspects of the game such as lap times, tire pressures etc. seem to be a very accurate simulation. I hope this is helpful.

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BigPPupMajor Leaguer

892 days ago

Score 1

Oddly enough, the EA Sports game is actually very accurate typically.

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Alex HolowczakHall of Famer

892 days ago

Score 2

There's one general rule. Take the longest straight. Pick the ratio that gives almost uniform acceleration so that you max out for the shortest time at the end of the straight. That stops the engine blowing up. The longer the longest straight, the longer the ratio, the shorter the straight, the shorter the ratio. Note that longer ratios give higher speeds. Oval long tracks have higher speeds I imagine, so I'd assume you need longer ratios.

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