Q: What is a sprint car?
A: A sprint car is a purpose built open-wheel race car, that must weigh at least 1,375 pounds with the driver in the car. The 410-cubic inch engine is fueled by methanol, and produces approximately 850-horsepower.

Q: Why is there a wing on the top of the car?
A: A large wing on top of the car with sideboards that face opposite directions help to produce a great amount of downforce to help keep the car planted on the track and turn in the corners. The wings also help to absorb energy in the case of the car getting airborne in an accident. Top wings became prominent in the early 1970’s. Sprint cars also are equipped with nose wings.

Q: Why are the cars pushed to start?
A: Sprint car do not have starters in them, so a push truck are used to fire the engine, and get the car in-gear. A sprint car only has an in/out direct drive, no reverse gear.

Q: How long is the season?
A: The season traditionally opens in early March and concludes in September. The schedule will consist of roughly 20 points events between the two tracks.

Q: How does a race program take shape from beginning to end?
A:

Hot Laps

Time Trials or Pill Draw (draw for starting position)

1. Heat Races
3. B-Main (C-Main or D-Main depending on car count)
5. A-Main Feature Even

Race Night Glossary

A-Main (or Feature) – The final race of the night which decides who is the over-all winner. The A-Main can be from 25-40 laps, which is predetermined before the event.

B-Main – This is a driver’s final chance to make it into the A-Main. Depending on the number of heat races run, the top 4 (or in some cases more) cars will transfer into the main event. The B-Main is usually 8-12 laps in length.

Heat Race (or Heat) – An 8-12 lap race (the distance is determined by track) that determines which cars will move on to the A-Feature or B Main. The top four cars in the heats transfer to the A-Main, when there are four heat races.

Hot Laps – A session held at the beginning of the race program. This session is run in groups. Each car is assigned to a group prior to this session. During this practice session each car is allotted 3 or more laps at speed in order to ensure that their car is properly set up for the race event.