Recommended settings
Note: If you are playing in career mode, these settings
work best with a fully tuned car.
| Track | Tire Pressure | Rear Spoiler | Suspension | Wedge | Gear Ratio |
| Atlanta | 45 p.s.i. | 45 Degrees | 60 Percent | -3.5 Turns | 10 |
| Bristol | 45 p.s.i. | 69 Degrees | 85 Percent | -4.0 Turns | 2 |
| California | 33 p.s.i. | 50 Degrees | 75 Percent | -4.0 Turns | 6 |
| Chicagoland | 45 p.s.i. | 65 Degrees | 40 Percent | -0.5 Turns | 6 |
| Darlington | 45 p.s.i. | 60 Degrees | 51 Percent | -4.0 Turns | 5 |
| Daytona | 42 p.s.i. | 45 Degrees | 80 Percent | 1.0 Turns | 9 |
| Dover | 30 p.s.i. | 71 Degrees | 75 Percent | -2.0 Turns | 5 |
| Homestead Miami | 30 p.s.i. | 74 Degrees | 100 Percent | -4.0 Turns | 5 |
| Indianapolis | 30 p.s.i. | 66 Degrees | 52 Percent | -4.0 Turns | 7 |
| Kansas | 35 p.s.i. | 65 Degrees | 75 Percent | -4.0 Turns | 6 |
| Las Vegas | 30 p.s.i. | 66 Degrees | 50 Percent | -4.0 Turns | 6 |
| Lowe's | 45 p.s.i. | 70 Degrees | 40 Percent | 1.0 Turns | 6 |
| Martinsville | 30 p.s.i. | 75 Degrees | 100 Percent | -4.0 Turns | 2 |
| Michigan | 45 p.s.i. | 60 Degrees | 40 Percent | -2.0 Turns | 6 |
| New Hampshire | 30 p.s.i. | 70 Degrees | 100 Percent | -4.0 Turns | 3 |
| North Carolina | 45 p.s.i. | 70 Degrees | 50 Percent | -4.0 Turns | 5 |
| Pocono (Qualify) | 30 p.s.i. | 66 Degrees | 70 Percent | -4.0 Turns | 6 |
| Pocono | 30 p.s.i. | 66 Degrees | 70 Percent | -4.0 Turns | 7 |
| Richmond | 30 p.s.i. | 70 Degrees | 52 Percent | -3.5 Turns | 3 |
| Sears Point | 30 p.s.i. | 74 Degrees | 75 Percent | -4.0 Turns | 4 |
| Talladega | 30 p.s.i. | 45 Degrees | 44 Percent | -4.0 Turns | 8 |
| Texas | 30 p.s.i. | 60 Degrees | 50 Percent | -4.0 Turns | 6 |
| Watkins Glen | 30 p.s.i. | 75 Degrees | 100 Percent | -4.0 Turns | 4 |
Other recommendations
Albuquerque
Transmission: Manual
Tire Pressure: 20
Shocks: 100%
Downforce: 7.4
Wedge: 49.2%
Left Bias: 0
Rear Bias: 180
Wheel Lock: 15.4
Gear Ratios: 8.91, 7.06, 5.41, 3.71
Boca Chica
Transmission: Manual
Tire Pressure: 20
Shocks: 100%
Downforce: 8.2
Wedge: 49.2%
Left Bias: 60
Rear Bias: 120
Wheel Lock: 14.6
Gear Ratios: 8.81, 7.16, 5.61, 4.16
Bristol
Transmission: Manual
Tire Pressure: 48
Shocks: 100%
Downforce: 7.4
Wedge: 47.6%
Left Bias: 300
Rear Bias: 240
Wheel Lock: 15.0
Gear Ratio: 10.0, 7.20, 5.70, 4.60
California
Transmission: Manual
Tire Pressure: 44
Shocks: 50%
Downforce: 1.0
Wedge: 49.2%
Left Bias: 210
Rear Bias: 0
Wheel Lock: 15.4
Gear Ratios: Default
Charlotte
Transmission: Manual
Tire Pressure: 40
Shocks: 0%
Down Force: 1.0
Wedge: 46.8%
Left Bias: 300
Rear Bias: 180
Wheel Lock: 14.6
Gear Ratios: 7.71, 5.56, 4.00, 3.20
Cocoa Beach
Transmission: Manual
Tire Pressure: 40
Shocks: 80%
Downforce: 1.0
Wedge: 49.2%
Left Bias: 120
Rear Bias: 120
Wheel Lock: 15.0
Gear Ratios: 6.91, 5.16, 3.70, 3.00
Darlington
Transmission: Manual
Tire Pressure: 40
Shocks: 70%
Downforce: 2.6
Wedge: 49.2%
Left Bias: 300
Rear Bias: 180
Wheel Lock: 14.2
Gear Ratios: 7.71, 6.01, 4.25, 3.20
Daytona and Talladega
Transmission: Manual
Tire Pressure: 48
Shocks: 0%
Downforce: 1.0
Wedge: 49.2%
Left Bias: 300
Rear Bias: 180
Wheel Lock: 13.8
Gear Ratios: Defaults
Daytona Beach
Transmission: Manual
Tire Pressure: 40
Shocks: 100%
Downforce: 1.0
Wedge: 48.4%
Left Bias: 300
Rear Bias: 180
Wheel Lock: 14.6
Gear Ratios: 6.66, 5.06, 3.70, 3.00
Devil's Canyon
Transmission: Manual
Tire Pressure: 20
Shocks: 100%
Downforce: 7.4
Wedge: 51.6%
Left Bias: 60
Rear Bias: 60
Wheel Lock: 14.2
Gear Ratio: 9.56, 7.60, 5.80, 4.21
Lap times with this set-up should be around 1:31.7 to 1:32.5.
Dover
Transmission: Manual
Tire Pressure: 44
Shocks: 100%
Downforce: 3.4
Wedge: 48.4%
Left Bias: 300
Rear Bias: 180
Wheel Lock: 15.0
Gear Ratios: 7.61, 5.81, 4.20, 3.20
Homestead Raceway
Transmission: Manual
Tire Pressure: 48
Shocks: 40%
Downforce: 1.0
Wedge: 48.4%
Left Bias: +300
Rear Bias: 0
Wheel Lock: 15.4 degrees
Gear Ratios: 7.61, 5.51, 3.70, 3.00
Indianapolis
Transmission: Manual
Tire Pressure: 40
Shocks: 80%
Downforce: 1.0
Wedge: 48.4%
Left Bias: 300
Rear Bias: 180
Wheel Lock: 14.6
Gear Ratio: 7.06, 5.21, 3.70, 3.00
Phoenix
Transmission: Manual
Tire Pressure: 44
Shocks: 100%
Downforce: 4.2
Wedge: 49.2%
Left Bias: 300
Rear Bias: 180
Wheel Lock: 14.6
Gear Ratio: 9.50, 6.40, 4.00, 3.20
Pocono
Transmission: Manual
Tire Pressure: 36
Shocks: 60%
Downforce: 1.0
Wedge: 49.2%
Left Bias: 180
Rear Bias: 180
Wheel Lock: 13.8
Gear Ratios: 7.56, 5.56, 3.70, 3.00
Richmond
Transmission: Manual
Tire Pressure: 52
Shocks: 100%
Downforce: 5.0
Wedge: 48.4%
Left Bias: 300
Rear Bias: 180
Wheel Lock: 14.2
Gear Ratio: 9.16, 7.20, 5.70, 4.36
Sears Point
Transmission: Manual
Tire Pressure: 28
Shocks: 100%
Downforce: 8.2
Wedge: 49.2%
Left Bias: 0
Rear Bias: 180
Wheel Lock: 15.0
Gear Ratios: 10.00, 7.80, 5.80, 4.25
Texas Motor Speedway
Transmission: Manual
Tire Pressure: 52 PSI
Suspension: 100%
Down Force: 1.0
Wedge: 46.0
Left Bias: +300
Rear Bias: +120
Wheel Lock: 15.8
Gear Ratios: 8.31, 6.06, 4.00, 3.20
Watkins Glen
Transmission: Manual
Tire Pressure: 40
Shocks: 100%
Downforce: 7.4
Wedge: 49.2%
Left Bias: 0
Rear Bias: 180
Wheel Lock: 14.6
Gear Ratio: 10.0, 7.30, 5.70, 4.30
Try using the Daytona and Talladega setups for Michigan, but with
48.4% wedge.
2nd Place Spinout Challenge award
The key to winning this challenge is track position
and pit strategy. Start the race and drive your way to either
first or second place within the first three laps. At the end
of lap three, make a pit stop. Take on tires and just enough gas
to finish. Adjust the wedge setting if necessary. As the rest
of the field cycles through their pit stops a couple of laps later,
make sure you are in a position to recapture second place. As
you near the finish line on the last lap, aim your car to crash
into the outside wall right at the finish line. When the car hits
the wall, the impact will spin it around backwards as it crosses
the line. This should be sufficient to win the challenge.
2nd Place Spinout Challenge award
Winning the "2nd Place Spinout Challenge",
awards you the following Thunder Cards:
+1 Extra Gas (Defensive) - 1
+5 Gas Guzzler (Offensive) - 1
10% Faster Pitcrew (Defensive) - 1
+5 Less Tire Wear (Defensive) - 1
+5 Less Body Damage (Defensive) - 1
+5 Engine Protection (Defensive) - 1
+15 Acceleration (Speed) - 1
+1 Air Resistance (Speed) - 1
+2 Air Resistance (Speed) - 1
+3 Air Resistance (Speed) - 1
+25 Draft Bonus (Speed) - 1
20% Tire Damage (Offensive) - 1
Long Haul Part 3 Challenge (Talladega)
award
Winning the "Long Haul Part 3" Challenge
(Talladega), awards you the following Thunder Cards:
+5 Less Tire Wear (Defensive) - 2
+10 Less Tire Wear (Defensive) - 1
+5 Engine Protection (Defensive) - 2
+15 Engine Protection (Defensive) - 1
-40 Speed Limit (Speed) - 1
+3 Air Resistance (Speed) - 1
+25 Draft Bonus (Speed) - 1
10% Tire Damage (Offensive) - 1
Speed Demon (Speed) - 1
X2 Double Damage (Offensive) - 1
Long Haul Part 4 Challenge (Sears
Point) award
Winning The Long Haul Part 4 Challenge (Sears Point)
awards you the following Thunder Cards:
+5 Gas Guzzler (Offensive) 1
+10 Gas Guzzler (Offensive) 1
+10 Less Tire Wear (Defensive) 1
+5 Engine Protection (Defensive) 1
+10 Acceleration (Speed) 1
-20 Speed Limit (Speed) 1
+25 Draft Bonus (Speed) 1
30% Tire Damage (Offensive) 1
Tight Turns (Defensive) 1
Oil Slick (Offensive) 2
Proving Grounds Track 1
Rubbin' Pit Road Part 1 Challenge
award
Winning the Rubbin' Pit Road Part 1 Challenge awards
you the following Thunder Cards:
+3 Extra Gas (Defensive) 1
+15 Less Tire Wear (Defensive) 1
20% Tire Damage (Offensive) 1
30% Tire Damage (Offensive) 1
Speed Demon Part 2 Challenge award
Winning the Speed Demon Part 2 Challenge awards you
the following Thunder Cards:
+2 Extra Gas (Defensive) 1
5% Faster Pitcrew (Defensive) 1
+5 Less Tire Wear (Defensive) 1
+5 Less Body Damage (Defensive) 1
+1 Air Resistance (Speed) 1
10% Tire Damage (Offensive) 1
Speed Demon Part 3 (Daytona) Challenge
Start the race and work your way through the field
as best you can. It is not necessary to be at the front. At the
end of lap three, make a pit stop and take on tires only. Do not
adjust the wedge very much, if at all. Fix any damage that you
may have received. Go back out onto the track. Your driving line
now becomes the critical factor for achieving the 47 second lap
that the challenge requires. At the beginning of your second lap
back on the track after your pit stop, your speed should be near
190 or 191 mph. As you enter turns one and two, your entry speed
should be around 195 and exit speed around 184 or 185. Any slower
than that on the exit, and you will be able to make it up on the
backstretch. As you enter Turns three and four, entry speed should
be near 197 and the exit should be around 183 or 184. If you keep
those speeds, you should run a lap somewhere between 47.5 and
47.6 seconds. It is absolutely imperative that you keep a steady
line through the corners, otherwise you will scrub off too much
speed if the car drifts off line. You will need to make a second
pit stop to gas up and get four more tires, probably around lap
seven or eight. If you can draft on other cars, this will significantly
pick up your turn entry speeds but you can run a 47.6 second lap
without a lot of drafting help.
Rubbin' Pit Road Part 1 Challenge
award
Winning the Rubbin' Pit Road Part 1 Challenge awards
you the following Thunder Cards:
+3 Extra Gas (Defensive) 1
+15 Less Tire Wear (Defensive) 1
20% Tire Damage (Offensive) 1
30% Tire Damage (Offensive) 1
Speed Demon Part 2 Challenge award
Winning the Speed Demon Part 2 Challenge awards you
the following Thunder Cards:
+2 Extra Gas (Defensive) 1
5% Faster Pitcrew (Defensive) 1
+5 Less Tire Wear (Defensive) 1
+5 Less Body Damage (Defensive) 1
+1 Air Resistance (Speed) 1
10% Tire Damage (Offensive) 1
Ramming cars
Get the car you want ram directly besides. Keep him
beside your car on the left side. When you are coming around a
corner, press "Analog-stick Left" to send him straight into
the wall. You can also keep him along your left side and wait
for the pit entrance get near. Then, press "Analog-stick Left"
to send him into the pits. Some cars can regain control before
they go in, so get as close as you can.