Author: SM

  • How to More Comfortably Finance Your Dream Car

    How to More Comfortably Finance Your Dream Car

    So long as your dream car doesn’t cost millions, chances are you that you can more comfortably afford your dream car than you realize. This is particularly true if you are comfortable buying a used car that is a few years old, and you have properly prepared your finances beforehand. The more expensive your dream car, the more you will need for your down deposit and the better your credit score will have to be, yes, but by following these steps you can improve your chances of finally obtaining your dream vehicle once and for all:

    New vs. Used Debate

    New can seem like the logical choice for a vehicle, but it is not the most cost-effective choice. Buy opting for certified used (or, in other words, a used vehicle offered by a dealership) you can get a great working car for a great deal. The more open you are about the specific make and model, the easier it will be to find a used vehicle that is only a few years old, thus putting even a luxury vehicle back into your reach.

    Save For the Down Deposit

    As you are looking, it is wise to start saving for the down deposit and building up your credit score at the same time. You can do this all at once with a credit building loan, which in many ways works as a credit building program that will help you save. If you research in advance and save 20% down deposit or more on the average price of the car you want, you will be able to better finance your new vehicle when the time comes.

    Get Pre-Approved for a Loan

    The better your credit score, the better the loan and repayment plans you will be eligible for. This is important because going into a dealership with a pre-approved loan will help boost your negotiating power. It will also help you financially prepare in advance, which is a crucial aspect to comfortably financing your new car.

    This is important because going into a dealership with a pre-approved loan will help boost your negotiating power. It will also help you financially prepare in advance, which is a crucial aspect to comfortably financing your new car. Alternatively, head over to https://www.moneyexpert.com/car-finance/ for all the available car finance deals

    Negotiate

    Negotiation is an art that can be difficult to master, but the secret really boils down to the right timing. Do your research and have a realistic expectation of what price you want or what extra features, like extended warranty, you want to be included. Then be patient and play the long game. The better you negotiate, the better your overall price will be, and the lower your repayments.

    Re-Finance as Necessary

    Your finance rates and repayments plans are never set in stone. Whether you want to pay back more at once to reduce the overall cost after a promotion, or need to cut back on monthly spending to help budget, refinancing can help you make payments based on your needs. Crediful has plenty of options and reviews to help you choose the right refinancing option so that you can make repayments comfortable no matter what stage of life you are in.

    Buying your dream car should not put pressure on your budget or your family. That is why it is imperative that you improve your credit rating, reduce the overall cost of the car, and remember that you can refinance if you need to. Only then can you comfortably finance your dream car.

  • How to Get the Racing Buzz If You Dont Race

    How to Get the Racing Buzz If You Dont Race

    There can’t be many motorsports enthusiasts who haven’t imagined themselves behind the wheel as they watch their heroes battle fender to fender around a circuit, or speeding across the country in a rally car. If you’re lucky enough to have the time and money, there are plenty of entry-level motorsports opportunities available, but for some fans that just isn’t an option. Maybe you haven’t got the time and money it takes to get into motorsports, which even at the grassroots level will still cost thousands of dollars a year. Perhaps you have a family and don’t want to take any unnecessary risks, or maybe you have a health problem that prevents you from taking part. Whatever the reason, if you can’t take part in motorsport on the track, there are still ways to feel the excitement and get involved.

    Volunteering

    Like most leisure activities, motorsports depend on volunteers to help with organizing and marshaling at race events. Contact the governing body for your chosen sport to see what opportunities there are for volunteer positions that would interest you. If you have a passion for engines and mechanics, you could train to become a scrutineer, examining the cars to ensure they comply with the race regulations. You could assist with the timing, start and finish line organization, or noise level checks; or get to see the race from close up by attending as a safety marshal at strategic points around the track. If you don’t want to commit to this kind of activity, you could lend a hand as team support. Many teams will be happy to have an extra pair of hands to help out, especially at grassroots level, where a lot of racers are attending on their own. Being at the heart of the race and being involved behind the scenes can be a rewarding way of getting closer to your sport.

    A new career

    If you’re truly passionate about your interest in motorsports, there are a number of ways you can earn your living, or at least supplement your earnings, by working in the industry. You’ll need relevant qualifications and preferably some experience of the work you’re applying for, but the opportunities vary from being a race engineer to working in the administration side of the sport. Higher level teams could be in need of staff, or the circuits and organizing groups might have openings that would suit you. If you don’t have the qualifications or experience for the positions you’re interested in, you can always take a college course and combine this with volunteering duties while you study. It’s never too late to retrain, so if you’re serious about making motorsports your career, get some more information about what you need to do to find work as a member of the support staff.

    Pimp your ride

    You might not be in a position to have a high-performance race car of your own, but even the most humble of vehicles can be modified and upgraded to give them more of a wow factor. The extent to which you can customize your vehicle will depend on your finances and what you need to use the car for. If you need it for taking the kids to school, then fitting a roll cage is probably not practical! But there are many ways to modify a vehicle and still use it as your main mode of transport. You could make simple mods like upgrading the air filter, installing a dump valve, fitting coil-over suspension, and changing your standard brakes for a four-port system for example. One easy way to upgrade your vehicle is by changing the exhaust for a bigger, throatier version, which will not only make a very satisfying noise but should increase your horsepower as well. You’ll need to consult a specialist in modifying cars and trucks like Velocity Restorations, who will be able to advise you on what you could achieve with your available budget.

    Get the look

    Whether or not you upgrade your car, making it look the part can be a real thrill. A new custom paint job is a good starting point, and you can add special effects like colored flecks, paint that changes color in different lights, or a metallic or pearlized finish. If you have a very old or battered car, one option is to rust proof it, and then coat it in clear lacquer. This is a popular option for classic trucks and cars, preserving the story of the vehicle’s history and making the flaking paint, scratches and dents a feature. Pulling away from a modern sports car in your shabby-looking old Ford Bronco is sure to put a smile on your face! Another way to get the real racing look is to use wraps and decals to transform your ride into a race car lookalike. With numbers and sponsor logos covering most cars in motorsports, you could make your vehicle look the same using the ready-made packs of decal stickers you can buy online, or creating your own version.

    Dress the part

    It might sound somewhat unlikely, but research has shown that the clothes you wear can make you feel and behave differently. Just wearing a cap with your team’s logo on or the name of your favorite driver, can give you a boost and make you walk taller. There is a full range of clothing available for fans of all types of motorsports, so you could have a racing-themed outfit or two in your wardrobe, for when you watch the race – or just for a trip out any time. One word of warning, on the subject of race suits. Firstly, they aren’t designed to look glamorous; they are all about safety. That means that even if you have a fit, toned body, they can make you look deeply unattractive! They are also spectacularly hot to wear in warmer weather, so best kept for the racetrack, not for spectating.

    Many people have a passion for motorsports but aren’t able to take part in the racing. If you are one of them, it doesn’t mean you can’t get the plenty of enjoyment out of your experience by adopting one or more of these ideas.

  • How to Sell Your Car for More

    How to Sell Your Car for More

    Whatever the reason may be for you deciding to sell your car, if it’s time to be out with the old and in with the new, then you shouldn’t have any problem in getting rid of your car. Before you do get rid, however, why not try and get as much money for your motor as you can?

    There are a number of things that you can do to your vehicle to see it go for a higher price, none of which demand particular mechanic expertise. Here are a few of the things that you can do to sell your car for more:

    Boost your car’s ‘curb appeal’

    Giving your car’s ‘curb appeal’ a boost is the best way to help potential buyers see themselves owning it. It, therefore, gives you more potential to sell, which in turn, makes you more likely to make more money. To make your car look appealing, quite simply, give it a wash and a wax. Whether you do it yourself, head to an automated car wash or pay the neighbor’s kid to do it, just make sure the end result is the bodywork of your car being shiny enough to use as a mirror.

    Defog the headlights

    To make your car look newer, and subsequently more appealing to potential buyers, you have to try and fix any problems of wear and tear that have occurred on it over the years. One of the biggest of these areas that you need to be focusing on is your headlights, as they will have (more than likely) gone hazy or yellowed. To sort this problem out, you should get yourself a headlight restoration kit, and you should set about defogging them. They’ll come up looking brand new in the end.

    Inflate the tires

    If you want to see your car sell for the absolute best price possible, then you need to be inflating its tires before you allow any potential buyers the chance to check it out. You can do this at home or at a gas station, and you should inflate them to a minimum level of safety (but this something that you should be doing anyway!).

    Once they are inflated, you should set about giving your tires a quick cleanup. You could use any kind of generic tire cleaner, and they should come up looking almost brand new. However, if you’d rather not fork out on that, then you can make your own. To do so, you should combine baking soda and water to create a paste that you then scrub brush into your tires, leave it for a few minutes before rinsing it off.

    Fix up the interior

    Potential buyers are going to be just as bothered about what your car is like on the inside as they are about its outside, so make sure you’re fixing the interior up.

    To do this, start by giving it a thorough vacuuming, including the trunk, making sure you remove everything from dirt on the floor to any cobwebs that may have appeared. Second, move on to getting rid of any stains that you see. To do this, blot a solution made up of a tablespoon of vinegar, a half teaspoon of dish detergent and a quart of water onto anything that you want gone. Third, make sure the car smells good by investing in a new hanging air freshener and refraining from eating or smoking in it.

    Top up all fluids

    If you were buying a used car off of somebody else, at the very least, you’d expect for the oil to be topped up. This is what your potential buyers will expect from you, too, so make sure you do it by having your oil topped up or even changed, preferably professionally. While you’re at it, make sure you fill up on gas as well. Coming full in this department will make your car seem far more worthwhile a venture for potential suitors.

    Repair your windows

    Your car’s windows are a telltale sign of how well the whole vehicle has been looked after and tended to over the years, so you should seek to have them repaired should they be scratched or look in any way worn. More often than not, this will mean getting a window specialist out to do the work for you. The money that you pay them for their service will be worth it in the long run when your car’s asking price skyrockets.

    Something that you can do, should you have had your windows tinted, is fix any problems you have in regards to bubbles in window tint. To do this, you should warm the window with something like a hair dryer (not boiling hot water!), before dampening and then flatten the bubbles. Afterward, dry your window, and it’ll be as good as new.

    Get your records sorted

    Making your car seem more worthwhile of a venture in the eyes of potential buyers means doing more than fixing it up, as you also have to get all of the records associated with it sorted and in order. It means digging out the maintenance history and not hiding anything in regards to it, as this will make buyers feel more secure in regards to knowing the car is roadworthy. It also means getting a vehicle history check sorted. If you have to, you can have such a report ran and compiled by an expert company, which will then reveal everything from past ownership to accident history to warranty information.

    Making your car seem like a worthwhile vehicle for potential buyers to be investing their hard-earned money in is important if you want to get the absolute best price possible for it. So, don’t be afraid to put some hard work and some elbow grease into making everything look nice, make sure you’re willing to make any repairs and tops up that are necessary, and make sure you can get all of the important records sorted and in order. If you do all of that, you’ll get the sum you deserve in the end.

  • Growing Popularity of Racing Sports

    Growing Popularity of Racing Sports

    In the world of sports, there are few as competitive and as exciting as racing. It’s an umbrella term for a whole plethora of different sports – and they’re all living up to their potential in their own special way. Take bike racing for example, with its adrenaline filled counterpart being superbike racing. For those interested, it’d be essential to read up on super bike racing rules, but that’s just the tip of the iceberg!

    A lot has been going on in the world of sports racing in general, and slowly but surely overall attention has been growing and growing. Even those sports with a relatively high barrier to entry are gaining more and more traction – alongside the future of sports racing with drones! There’s a lot to be excited about as the growing popularity of racing sports continues.

     

    The rise of the long-distance adventure bike race

    Of course, long-distance races with bikes aren’t exactly a breath of fresh air. As a matter of fact, these types of races have been with us for more than a century, like the early editions of the venerable Tour de France. It’s certainly seen its share of ups and downs, with some of its more well-known renditions finally closing down after almost a century of sports racing. However, just like a Phoenix rising from its ashes, long-distance bike riding is experiencing something of a resurgence. The most notable examples would be the Tour Divide, alongside RAAM (Race Across America) and the Trans Am Bike Race.

    Thanks to the actions of passionate individuals to help get the word out, long-distance adventure bike racing is feeling very much alive once again. This resurgence will no doubt boost the overall awareness of the sport and will have more and more fans flock to it as time goes on. There’s certainly a lot to be excited about when it comes to long distance racing – and the fact that it’s on a bike is a testament to man’s ability to overcome the odds.

     

    The power of Formula 1

    It was mentioned that even sports with a high barrier to entry are experiencing a resurgence – and Formula 1 is certainly a part of that resurgence. The fact that it’s considered one of the more popular sports in the world despite how difficult it can be to actually become a Formula 1 driver is a testament to its far-reaching popularity. Let it be known that over five hundred million people every year tune in to watch the Formula 1 season, and it’s always packed with excitement. It’s already popular, to begin with, but thanks to the rise of sports racing in general, more people are becoming aware of what Formula 1 brings to the table.

    Perhaps just like long-distance bike riding, the reason why people are so entranced by this type of sport is because of how difficult it can be. Watching people risk their lives to do what they love is inspiring no matter how you look at it. Whereas with long-distance biking it’s about breaking the limits, with Formula 1 it’s about the perfect line, and how one mistake could prove fatal.

     

    The future of sports racing

    With the advent of video games, sports racing has become more relevant than ever. People who would otherwise be unable to try their favorite sport have the opportunity to do so in video games; which eventually transformed into drone racing. It might still be a very young sport but it has gained an incredible following, with each and every one dedicated to improving the sport’s popularity.

    The Drone Racing League, in particular, does their best to organize as well as host races all over the globe, making the best use of current tech to achieve their goals. This is all possible thanks to the advent of eSports as well, which allows those who are skilled at video games to compete with others for huge prices. Considering the fact that eSports are incredibly popular now is a foreshadowing of the popularity that the Drone Racing League will amass as the years go by. Soon there will be more like the Drone Racing League around, and you’re going to see a full-blown global competition before long.

     

    It would be remiss not to talk about superbike racing

    Superbike racing is basically normal bike racing times a hundred thousand. These superbikes are motorcycles outfitted with the best that technology can offer – giving them optimal braking, optimal cornering, and breakneck speeds. When it comes to the superbike they spare no expense in ensuring that it will reach incredible speeds while still having a great amount of control. Comfort, as well as fuel usage, is out of the window as far as the superbikes go. This has resulted in heart-stopping action that can be considered at the forefront of the rise of sports racing in general.

    It isn’t a sport for the faint of heart, and you’ll clearly see why when you see these superbikes in action. Just like Formula 1 racing, the smallest mistake could lead to disastrous consequences which is why superbikes are built to withstand as much as they can while not sacrificing cornering prowess. Superbike racing isn’t necessarily a new sport, but it isn’t all that old either – with its premier championship series running since 1988. With any luck, it’ll continue to make headlines and the superbikes will continue to be improved upon to increase the safety – and excitement – of the sport.

    To conclude, racing sports, in general, are reaching their zenith as far as popularity is concerned. It seems as though the need for speed has overtaken the world, and you’ll be seeing much more of the aforementioned racing sports as time goes along. Drone racing and eSports, in particular, will eventually rise to prominence and truly live up to its potential. It’s an exciting time for racing sports fans everywhere, as the popularity continues to grow and grow with no signs of stopping at all.

  • The Complete Guide to Online Car Shopping

    The Complete Guide to Online Car Shopping

    Nowadays, dealerships make the process of buying another car much easier from start to finish, and with the help of the internet at hand, many of them allow drivers the chance to buy their next car online through their website. Although buying a car online might seem too good to be true, some of the best deals can be found online and many dealers now offer promotions that are exclusive to those who buy through their website, encouraging online sales in the motor industry.

    Know Exactly What You Want

    The key to buying the right car online is to know in advance exactly what type, style, build and brand you are looking for, and most importantly, know your budget and how much you ideally want to spend on a car before calling it a day and moving on to the next. Going into a deal with minimal knowledge as to what kind of car you feel you’d benefit from the most can only lead to you having to settle for a car that you don’t feel comfortable driving, or even one that costs you much more than you anticipated spending on average.

    Request a Virtual Tour of Your Car

    Though buying a car online has its limitations, it’s very much the same as physically buying from a dealership local to you; and you can see the car’s physical appearance and structure before officially signing the deal. It may surprise you to know that most dealers now offer car-buyers a virtual tour of vehicles they sell online through their website before allowing them to make the investment. This is not just to gauge whether the buyer is serious about buying a vehicle, but also to help reassure them that they are getting good value for their money before making the payment.

    Be Prepared for Everything

    Buying a car means dedicating a lot of your time and effort to make sure you’re on the right lines before parting with any cash, and although this can become a little tiring, it’s much easier if you prepare yourself for situations like these well in advance. There might be times of relief, happiness or dread; blood, sweat and tears might be shed but through it all, preparing for the best or worst can help ease the process and make it easier for you to reach your final decision as to whether you want the car or not.

    Ask Questions to Find Out More

    We all know that old saying, “if you don’t ask, you will never know”. Well, that saying relates very well when buying a car online rather than the old-fashioned way of getting a new motor, which as far as is known, would be in-store instead of through the internet. Just as you typically would when buying a car in person from a dealership location, when buying a car online you need to ask lots of questions and be keen to find out more before settling the deal on your next motor.

  • The Best Way to Wash Your Car

    The Best Way to Wash Your Car

    Cleaning is not everybody’s cup of tea and it can become extremely exhausting having to repeat the process over and over again, but the feeling is much different with a car. From time to time, you must make sure that your car is clean and protected against all the harsh conditions that face it on a day-to-day basis, if not, then be prepared to pay the price consequently.

    Park Out of the Sun

    Aside from the damage caused by the consistent heat of the sun, parking your car in such conditions can lead to an uneven dry, leaving your car’s paintwork with obvious streaks and often, this makes your car look worse than before you started to clean it up. Just be sure to avoid parking in direct sunlight and try to find somewhere shady to keep your motor while you clean it.

    Gather Your Tools!

    Though it’s cheaper and much quicker to clean your car yourself, it can’t be done by magic, unfortunately. To clean your car properly, you need a few tools and pieces of equipment which are listed below:

    • A large sponge
    • A water hose
    • Two buckets
    • Car wash soap/detergent
    • A wash mitt
    • A tough brush
    • A couple of dry towels

    Grab a Bucket of Water and Car Wash Soap

    First and foremost, you need to grab one of the buckets and fill it with water and then once most of its capacity is full, mix some of the car wash soap in with it. This should look the same as a bucket of ordinary soapy water, only this stuff is much tougher on grease and dirt – warm or cold should do the trick!

    Shower Off the Car to Soften the Dirt

    Before you start the whole cleaning routine, make it easier for yourself by showering the car off. This will help soften any tough dirt or stains on the surface and make the next stage much easier for you to get on with. That way, you can get on with the other stages without any hassle.

    Start with the Wheels

    When you think about it, your car works hard to get you from place to place every time you place a demand, but it wouldn’t be able to get around if it wasn’t for its wheels, right? You must admit that wheels do the most work on the road, which is why they deserve the most care and attention when cleaning your car. Always start with the wheels, this way, you can put the most effort into getting them back into shape and looking their best!

    Next, On to the Car

    Once you have finished scrubbing and polishing the wheels, move on to the paintwork and give it a good clean – use the large sponge for extra care. Make sure that you don’t use anything too rough to clean the car as this may scratch your car’s paintwork and leave it with obvious damage.

    Dry the Car

    Now that your car is lovely and soapy, and basically plenty cleaner than before, now is the time to dry it off and keep it clean. Take a clean and dry towel or microfibre cloth and wipe over where the car is still wet, making sure that you don’t leave it streaky or uneven and that the paintwork is completely dry for the next part.

    Apply a Good Layer of Wax

    Last but by no means least, the final stage is to apply the wax. Not the kind of wax you find in a candle, but the kind of wax that comes bottled and is usually sold at service stations around the UK. This kind of wax is designed to help form a protective layer on your car’s paintwork to minimize the amount of dirt that becomes trapped on the outside, making it look dirty. Instead, car wax helps make sure your car is looking as it did the day you bought it – it’s wonderful stuff!

  • Tips For Finding The Right Car For You

    Tips For Finding The Right Car For You

    Everyone has a dream car that they’d love to own, but sometimes your lifestyle and circumstances might get in the way of making this important purchase. The beauty of cars is that they provide a range of benefits for the owner. One of the main reasons why you want a reliable model is the functionality it offers for your family. Another reason is that some cars offer a must-have status symbol of success, while others are purchased for the sheer joy of owning such a beautiful design. Whatever type of car you are looking for, there are several things to consider before putting your money down on that next purchase.

    Check out these essential things to make the right decision for you and your family.

    What do you expect from a car?

    Your needs sometimes outweigh your wants, so choosing a model that suits your fundamental requirements is vital for making a decision on the type of car you should buy. If this car is for the daily grind, then there will be considerations to make. How many passengers you will be carrying, what the fuel consumption is, whether it will be needed for long commutes or short hops around town, or whether you need space for the kids are just some of the main questions to ask yourself.

    Deciding on budget

    Another deciding factor on the type of car you buy is what budget you have available. Being realistic about how much you can spend and whether you’d like to lease or buy it outright is also an aspect to consider. Budget can also determine whether to choose brand new or used cars and using an affordability calculator might help weigh up your options.

    Finding cars for sale

    There are hundreds of cars for sale across the country, and whether you’re in the market for a brand new luxury sports car or are looking for a family minivan, there will be something to suit your preferences. Searching online is also a great way to get a feel for your favorites, plus you can filter by elements such as color, model, location and price with ease.

    Considering custom designs

    If you want something a little out of the ordinary, choosing a popular car or truck model and adding unique touches to it will give you a vehicle that is tailored specifically to your tastes. There are several ways to customize cars and trucks; a great example to experience luxury, style, and function is to check out the Land Rover Defender 90 creations at ECD Automotive Design. Whatever your preferences, the sheer variety available nowadays means you can take your time in choosing the perfect choice to suit your lifestyle.

    Drive and enjoy

    Once you’ve picked the perfect car for you and your family, the only thing left to do is get behind the wheel and start driving your new addition. Driving should be a pleasurable experience even if you have to tackle the commute, so choosing something that will suit your needs for any road trip will help you get for A to B in comfort. Start searching today to get the perfect balance of function and style.

  • Betting on Hockey in Canada

    Betting on Hockey in Canada

    Hockey is a popular sport in Canada. So popular, in fact, that it is considered Canada’s game. While the origins of ice hockey are debatable, it is true that modern hockey is a sport that many Canadians bet on each year. The challenge is finding the best sports betting sites for Canadian hockey games.

    Sports Betting in Canada

    Sports betting in Canada differs from other countries. The primary difference is the legal betting system. Sports betting requires a parlay system. That means bettors must place bets on two or more games in Canada. It is legal to bet on hockey games, but it is not legal to bet on a single game.

    The governments of a province or a local area run the legal betting system. They allow bettors in Canada to place a bet on their favorite hockey teams, but they also do not allow a bettor to focus on a single game.

    Challenges with Betting

    The challenge with sports betting in Canada is the parlay system. Making a good bet on two or more games is challenging. The outcome of a single game is difficult to guess unless there is a clear reason for a bet. For example, if a player has an injury and will not be able to play in a specific game, then the possibility of the other team winning increases.

    When you look at multiple games, the odds of winning the bet reduce. You may win one bet and lose the second bet. Losing a single bet in a parlay means you lose the entire bet.

    Working with the Best Sports Betting Sites

    If you want a better way to make up your mind on the best sites, you could read online reviews on betting sites, and you may also wish to compare all of the best pph sportsbook providers that bookmakers may be working through, and see what how they manage some of the most important factors such as pricing and performance. By working with the best sports betting sites, you are able to evaluate the odds for multiple games. You can check into the possibilities of winning a game and then evaluate your risks for the second game.

    The best sites also offer deals and offers that help you make decisions without taking big risks. It gives you a chance to get used to the site and the process of placing a bet so you are not making bets that you did not want.

    By evaluating the odds of a game, you reduce the risk of losing a bet. Since Canada requires a parlay for your bets, you want to know the odds for multiple games, not just the one you want to bet on. That allows you to make a better wager when you are ready to place your bet. it also gives you a chance to make an educated choice about the possible bets in a parlay. Researching the odds and clarifying the players on the hockey team that will get onto the ice allows you to win your bet.

    Sports betting gives fans the opportunity to participate and feel like part of the sport. The challenge in Canada is the legal strategy for placing a bet. When you want to bet on a hockey game, it helps to work with the best sports betting sites because you will have the chance to research the teams and learn about the odds before you place your bets on two or more games.

  • 3 Important Tips for Betting on a NASCAR Race

    3 Important Tips for Betting on a NASCAR Race

    Betting on a NASCAR race can appear deceptively easy. Just choose the cars with the best qualifying times, right? Or maybe you can pick a winner by studying a driver’s past performance. Take Clint Bowyer, for example. Between 2012 and 2017, he went 190 races between wins and was often several laps behind the leaders. So, this is a driver you’d want to avoid betting on in 2018, right? In both cases, you’d be wrong.

    Qualifying Times Can Be Deceptive

    During qualifying, crew chiefs want to make sure their cars can post the fastest time possible for one lap. So, they will set their vehicles up in what is known as qualifying trim. This means that they’ll use various tricks of the trade in order to achieve the best qualifying time and starting position possible. For instance, a crew chief might tape up a car’s grill openings to increase its aerodynamics, which will — in turn — create additional downforce on the vehicle and also help it to gain more speed. In reality, though, if a grill opening was restricted in that manner during a race, the car’s engine would quickly overheat.

    Insiders in the garage rely on a different indicator of whether or not a car is set up properly to win a race. They will look at the long-run (10- to 15-lap) times posted by a driver during the final practice before a race. Why? Because it is during this last session that crew chiefs work on perfecting their race-day setups. One caveat: If the weather is very different on race day than it was during the practice session, there is a good chance that a car’s setup will no longer be right. In effect, relying on qualifying times is not the only variable to consider when placing sports bets on NASCAR races.

    Restrictor Plate Races Are Longshot Heaven

    If you love winning big on longshots, then make sure to bet on a no-name racer at a restrictor-plate race. Restrictor plates are used to slow cars down for safety reasons at superspeedways where cars can reach dangerous speeds. Currently, there are only two tracks where these plates are used — Daytona International Speedway and Talladega Superspeedway. One of the side effects of using restrictor plates? All of the cars end up going the same speed in a big pack, which means that if a driver makes even a tiny mistake, he’s likely to wreck and take out a lot of other cars with him. And that is why most drivers have a love-hate relationship with restrictor-plate racing. Any driver — no matter how talented or experienced — is at risk of getting swallowed up in a huge crash. But also, literally, just about any driver can win a restrictor-plate race so if you are interested in higher ROI sports bets, this could be an area to research when it comes to NASCAR races.

    Think Team Rather than Driver

    Many casual NASCAR fans, and even some ardent ones, don’t understand the important role that a NASCAR team plays in a driver’s success. It’s easy to assume that a driver is talented because he wins all the time or is terrible because he runs at the back of the pack. But every now and then, a driver will switch teams and all of a sudden that “horrible” driver is suddenly winning.

    Clint Bowyer is a good example. Driving for a low-budget team and then adjusting to a new one, Clint Bowyer went 190 races between wins. But now that he is driving for Stewart-Haas Racing, he is a consistent contender to win. Then there’s young Alex Bowman, who was a perennial back-of-the-pack racer until he earned a spot with Hendricks Motorsports. So before placing a bet on a driver, always do your due diligence and check to see what team they are driving for.

    And, finally, always keep in mind to place your bets with your head and not with your heart. In other words, don’t choose a driver just because you or others like them. A driver’s popularity often has very little to do with their ability to win a race. Take Chase Elliott, for example. Blessed with an endearing “aw shucks” personality and the son of Bill Elliott — one of the sport’s most famous drivers — Chase is currently NASCAR’s most popular driver. Yet, as of June 2018, he had not won a single Cup points race. On the other hand, Kyle Busch is very unpopular with fans, but is a talented driver who wins a lot of races.

    At Oskeim Sports, we perform our due diligence when it comes to sports betting advice. Placing wagers on sporting events of any kind takes research and discipline. You certainly don’t want to place sports bets with your mind moving at 200+ MPH like a NASCAR vehicle, you need to remain steady and use logical reasoning combined with analytical data. Learn more about Oskeim Sports today and how we can help turn your sports betting hobby into a profitable investment!

  • The Yellow line rule at Daytona leaves fans seeing Red

    The Yellow line rule at Daytona leaves fans seeing Red

    For countless years now, NASCAR’s “yellow line” rule one of the dumbest rules they have made besides restrictor plate racing itself. If you do not want them racing down there, then don’t pave it. It’s as simple as that. But unfortunately nothing is ever simple with NASCAR or resolved quickly.

    At Daytona the drivers are not only bound with two, three and sometimes four wide racing at 200 plus miles an hour, but they also can’t go below this stupid yellow line to avoid anything, including avoiding a wreck without being penalized if they advance their position.  The rule results in the driver having to let off to avoid advancing their position, resulting in most cases stacking up the field, causing an wreck or the best case scenario the driver falls to the back of the field.  The rule is causing more unsafe conditions than it was originally put in place for.

    NASCAR’s enforcement of the “yellow line” rule ruined Justin Haley’s pass for the win in Friday night’s Xfinity Series race at Daytona. Haley’s left-side tires were partially below the yellow line and NASCAR ruled the pass to be illegal, giving Kyle Larson the win and Haley a 18th place finish. Yes by the stupid rule, it was the correct call.  But it’s useless and just plain stupid especially when it undoubtedly changes the outcome of the race.

    Discouraging as this is, it’s no mystery why there are dwindling fans, empty stands and the overall interest in the sport. You argue the yellow line rule and make it a “judgement call”. Case in point, Haley didn’t go under the yellow line to advance his position, so no there would be no penalty.  But NASCAR has not been consistent with these calls, so let’s not go there or make the situation worse.

    This is very unfortunate for Haley, fans and even NASCAR. So please NASCAR, let’s do the right thing and at least remove one encumbrance to restrictor plate racing, the stupid yellow line rule and let the drivers race.