Short Track Racing: Where Tempers and Fenders Meet

Short tracks are anything under a mile. Bristol (.533 miles), Martinsville (.526 miles), and Richmond (.75 miles) are the Cup schedule staples. The racing is bumper-to-bumper and patience runs thin.

You can see the entire track from your seat. Every pass, every bump, every angry gesture is visible. The atmosphere at a short track race is louder and closer than anywhere else.

Short tracks tend to have fewer lead changes than superspeedways, but cautions are frequent. Pit strategy can shuffle the running order right before a stage break, keeping your squares pool interesting.