Banking

New to NASCAR 25? Banking changes corner speed, line, and setup. Learn quick wins, safe settings, and drills to go faster without sliding or hitting the wall.

Quick answer

Banking is the angle of the track that tilts you toward the inside of the turn. More banking lets you carry more speed because it supports the car and adds grip. On flat tracks you must slow earlier and rotate the car more; on steeply banked ovals you can roll more throttle and let the car track out to the wall. Learn to change your entry speed, lane choice, and throttle to match the banking.

Do this now (60 seconds)

• Load a session at a steeply banked oval (e.g., Daytona, Bristol, or Charlotte).
• Turn on the in-game “Racing/Driving Line” if available, or use the AI as a visual guide.
• Run two laps in lane 2 (one lane off the bottom): lift early, light brake if needed, then roll back to steady throttle and let the car drift out to the wall on exit.
• Now switch to a flatter track (e.g., New Hampshire, Phoenix, a road course) and brake earlier, turn the car more, and use gentler throttle on exit.
• Note how the car feels: more banking = more corner speed with stability; less banking = more braking and careful throttle.

What Banking means in NASCAR 25

Banking is the slope of the racing surface in corners (and sometimes on straights). The steeper the banking, the more the track “holds” you in the turn, which increases usable corner speed and stability.

Why it matters:

• Speed: Steep banking lets you carry throttle longer and brake less.
• Consistency: The right lane for the banking keeps you off the wall and off the apron.
• Tire life: Overdriving a flat corner chews the right-front; abusing throttle on exit overheats rears.
• Safety: Banking transitions (apron to banking) can unsettle the car—wrong angle or speed = spin.
• Progression: Adapting to each track’s banking is a core skill for beating AI and improving lap times.

Jargon you’ll hear:

• Tight (push): Car won’t turn; it drifts up the track on corner exit.
• Loose: Rear steps out; car wants to spin, especially mid-exit.
• Draft: Air pull from a car ahead that increases speed (huge at high-bank superspeedways).
• Tire falloff: Lap times getting slower as tires wear and overheat.

Symptoms → likely causes → fixes (beginner-focused)

• You drift up and tag the wall on exit → Entered too fast or turned in too early; letting banking sling you outward → Lift sooner, turn in later, hold a steady arc; let the car “breathe” out gently to the wall

• Car won’t turn in the middle (feels tight) → Too much entry speed for the banking; or line is too high too early → Back up your corner (earlier lift), clip a later apex, and roll throttle instead of stabbing it

• Snap loose when you touch the apron → Abrupt banking change unsettles the rear → Stay off the painted apron in the turn; cross the seam smoothly and straight if you must

• Wheel hop or bouncing mid-corner → Hitting bumps or seams while loaded by banking → Smooth inputs; choose a cleaner lane; avoid sudden brake release while turning

• Fine at Daytona but spinning at Phoenix → Using superspeedway habits on a flatter track → Brake earlier, slow more, and prioritize rotation before throttle on flatter corners

• Car plows on flat tracks after a few laps → Overheating the right-front tire → Ease entry speed, widen entry arc, and be patient to throttle to protect the RF

• Can’t hold the bottom on high bank → Entry angle too shallow; too much wheel; aero push in traffic → Enter a half-lane higher, arc down to a later apex, and lift early to reduce push

• Stuck in dirty air mid-corner → Aero push worsens on banking when following closely → Move up or down a lane to find clean air; adjust entry speed to avoid mid-corner push

Step-by-step: How to do it

1. Pick a track and assists

• Go to the race setup or single event menu. Look for options like “Assists,” “Driving Aids,” or “Controls.”
• Enable the driving/racing line and braking indicator if available to visualize corner speed.

2. Learn the line for high vs. low banking

• High banking (Daytona/Charlotte/Bristol):
  • Lift early and lightly if needed, turn in smoothly, and roll steady throttle through the center.
  • Let the car drift to the wall on exit without adding wheel late.
  • What you should feel: The car is stable and planted when the wheel is smooth and throttle is steady.
• Low banking (New Hampshire/Phoenix/road courses):
  • Brake earlier and harder in a straight line, rotate the car at a later apex, then feed throttle gently.
  • Keep the car low longer and avoid crossing seams under load.
  • What you should feel: Car rotates in the middle; exit is controlled with minimal rear slip.

3. Make a quick setup adjustment (if the game provides it)

• In the Garage/Setup screen, look for simple presets or a “Loose ↔ Tight” or “Quick Tune” slider.
  • For flat tracks: Nudge one step toward “Loose” to help rotation.
  • For steep banking: Nudge one step toward “Tight/Stable” for exit security.
• If individual options are available:
  • Right-front tire temp high on flats: reduce entry speed first; optionally drop RF pressure slightly or add a touch of wedge.
  • Snappy loose on exit at high bank: add wedge or lower the rear track bar (if adjustable).
• Common gotcha: Chasing setup before fixing line and inputs wastes time. Always adjust your driving first.

4. Validate with telemetry/HUD

• If tire temps are shown, look for more balanced temps across a run.
• Lap times should stabilize; fewer “push to wall” moments on exit and fewer rear slides.

Beginner settings & assists (recommended)

• Beginner:
  • Driving/Racing Line: On (braking + cornering).
  • Stability/Spin Recovery: On if available, helps when crossing seams and aprons.
  • Steering assist/Lower sensitivity: On or reduced for smoother inputs.
  • Why: Lets you feel how banking supports the car without constant saves.
• Intermediate:
  • Driving Line: Corners only or off on tracks you know.
  • Stability: Medium/Reduced; begin to manage throttle and weight transfer yourself.
  • Quick Tune: One step toward Loose on flat tracks; Neutral/Stable on high-bank.
• Advanced:
  • All assists off; fine-tune line and micro-throttle.
  • Use practice runs to map each track’s preferred lane and apex based on banking.

Practice drill (10 minutes)

• Track: Charlotte or Atlanta (progressive banking helps learning).
• Drill:
  • Laps 1–4: Run lane 2 only. Lift early, no hard brake. Keep steering smooth and steady throttle.
  • Laps 5–7: Move down to lane 1. Hit a later apex; add throttle only when you can unwind the wheel.
  • Laps 8–10: Alternate lanes to pass ghost/AI without crossing the apron mid-corner.
• Focus: Smooth arc, no late stabs of throttle, let the banking carry you out.
• Success: Three consecutive laps within 0.2s, zero wall taps, tires not overheating.
• Avoid: Dropping two wheels onto the apron while still turning.

Common beginner mistakes (and the fix)

• Turning in too early on high-banked tracks

  • Why: You feel “safe,” so you cut down early.
  • Fix: Delay turn-in and aim for a later apex; let banking finish the turn.

• Floor it at mid-corner on flats

  • Why: Superspeedway habits transfer over.
  • Fix: Wait for rotation; roll into throttle as you unwind the wheel.

• Riding the apron seam

  • Why: Trying to “shorten” the track.
  • Fix: Keep a tire’s width off the paint in the turn; cross the seam only when mostly straight.

• Overcorrecting on exit

  • Why: Late throttle plus too much wheel adds lateral load.
  • Fix: Smooth throttle; straighten the wheel as you add power and let the car drift out.

• Ignoring lane choice in traffic

  • Why: Following the car ahead in dirty air.
  • Fix: Move up or down a lane to find clean air; back up your entry slightly.

• Chasing setup before technique

  • Why: Looking for a quick mechanical fix.
  • Fix: Fix line and timing first; then make one small setup change at a time.

• Braking while sharply turning on high bank

  • Why: Late panic brake.
  • Fix: Do most braking before turn-in; use minimal brake while loaded.

FAQs

• What is banking in NASCAR 25? Banking is the tilt of the track toward the inside of the corner. Steeper banking supports higher speeds and stability through turns, while flatter corners require more braking and precise rotation.

• How should my line change on high banking versus flat tracks? On high banking, arc the entry, carry more throttle, and let the car drift out on exit. On flat tracks, brake earlier, hold the bottom longer, and get the car rotated before adding throttle.

• Do I need to brake at Daytona or Talladega? Usually only a small lift or a brush of brake when in traffic or on worn tires. Solo laps on fresh tires often need a lift at most. Traffic and tire wear change this.

• Why does my car feel tight on steeply banked tracks? Aero push and higher loads can make the car push mid-corner. Back up the entry, choose a later apex, try a higher lane in traffic, and consider a small move toward “Loose” only if your line and timing are solid.

• What is progressive banking? Different banking angles across lanes. Higher lanes can have more banking, offering grip and sometimes better momentum, especially in traffic or on long runs.

• How do I tune for flat vs. banked tracks? Flat: Favor rotation (slightly looser balance), earlier braking, and a later apex. High bank: Favor stability on exit and smooth throttle. If the game offers a quick tune slider, go one click looser for flats; neutral or slightly tighter for high bank.

• Why do I spin when I touch the apron? The sudden transition from flat to banked surface unloads the rear. Stay off the apron while turning; cross it only when the wheel is mostly straight and throttle is steady.

• Does drafting change with banking? Yes. Draft effects are strongest at fast, high-banked tracks. In traffic, move a lane for clean air to reduce aero push in the middle of the corner.

Next steps

Banking dictates how fast you can corner, which lane works, and how you manage throttle and brakes. Adjust your line and entry speed to match the track’s slope first, then make small setup tweaks if available.

Do this next: Run 10 practice laps at a high-banked oval and 10 at a flatter track, focusing on entry timing and a later apex. Aim for consistent laps before changing setups.

Related articles:

• Racing line basics for ovals
• Tight vs. Loose: what it means and how to fix it
• Throttle control and corner exit
• Drafting and side-drafting for beginners
• Tire wear and temperature management
• Quick tune and assists: getting started