Why is the high groove the preffered line at Darlington?

Question

At most tracks, the bottom groove is the way to go, but at Darlington the best line is right against the wall. What in Darlington's design makes this so?

Answer 1

Because of the banking of the track, and the radius isn't as tight. You can go faster and position yourself better when you need to make agressive moves.

Answer 2

At Darlington, if you run the low line the tires wear out faster. You can keep up your momentum better and click off more consistent, faster lap times up high near the wall. I do remember the days when they'd run high in 1 and 2 and run low in 3 and 4, but now it seems the high line is the only line.

Answer 3

The high line is where the cars go faster there.

Answer 4

The shape of the turns is different than some of the "high line" race tracks.  They enter the corners so fast, and the corners are narrower.  The cars wash up the track while turning and braking before the drivers can really get back in the gas hard.  Once they are in the gas, they ride the high line to gather momentum for the resulting straightaway.  The fast cars will be able to get in the gas earlier and drive into the straight side by side.

BTW - Junior runs the bottom and the top.  Running on top is a h**l of a lot of fun to watch and at tracks like Michigan, Vegas, Richmond and California it works very well.  That is as long a Kyle "Sir Wreckalot" Busch isn't planning on driving it in deep and wrecking any driver if it doesn't.

Answer 5

It's the only groove. The turns are so different that drivers get out of the throttle earlier so they can get back in it sooner. The high side carries the best momentum at Darlington, actually at any track.

Answer 6

The high side is where its happening..just hope that lady in Black is on your side...Its just Darlington, the best can run up there, the others, yeah more Darlington stripes, yes the guys that run the high side get the stripes also its about, I think there was a singer back in the 60's or 70's Jerry Butler said it best "Only the Strong Survive" that applies to Darlington...That high groove is the best groove, and if you can make that Lady happy, she'll let you survive..

Go Dale Jr & Hms

Answer 7

You asked about the design? It's the banking. It's the earliest version of progressive banking and the bottom is not conducive to speed due to it's low level of banking and the shape of the corners.

Answer 8

Not if you ask Junior it's not!! The high groove is ALWAYS the preferred line to him!! How else do you think he wins all those races??? MMMMMMMMMMMMMUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUAAAAAAAAAAAH...

Answer 9

You don't run a high line par se. You diamond both ends of the track entering low in 1 and 3 and you let the car drift up into the high line then you exit low. It's the fastest way around the track and the easiest line on the tires.