Outside Line

Learn how to run the Outside Line in NASCAR 25. Get quick steps, beginner settings, drills, and fixes so you can keep momentum, pass clean, and avoid the wall.

You’ve got speed, but every time you try the high side you either scrape the wall, get tight in dirty air, or lose spots off the corner. Here’s how to make the Outside Line work so you keep momentum and pass clean. You’ll get a quick setup, driving inputs that stick, and simple fixes for tight/loose issues.

Quick answer

The outside line is the high groove near the wall. It works when you arc in early, roll throttle smoothly, and keep a half‑lane buffer to avoid the wall and dirty air. Aim to lift a tick sooner, carry more mid‑corner speed, and squeeze back to full throttle later. If the car feels tight up top, free it slightly (small wedge down or right‑rear air up if available) and reduce steering sensitivity so you don’t over-correct.

Do this now (60 seconds)

• Load a solo practice on a multi‑groove oval (if available, pick a 1.5–2.0 mile track).
• Turn on the racing line/braking markers if the game offers them; use hood or cockpit view.
• In “Assists/Driving Aids,” enable moderate stability help and lower steering sensitivity a notch.
• Enter the corner a lane higher than normal; lift earlier, turn less, and roll 60–80% throttle mid‑corner.
• Keep the car 1–2 feet off the wall; back to full throttle only when it won’t drift up.
• Watch lap delta; if slower, try an earlier lift and smoother throttle, not more steering.

What this means in NASCAR 25

• The Outside Line is the high groove near the outer wall. It’s a longer path but can be faster because you scrub less speed, keep RPM up, and exit with momentum.
• Why it matters: it’s safer in traffic (more vision), better on long runs (less tire scrub), and powerful for defending or completing passes off the corner.
• Key terms:
  • Tight/Push: car resists turning; drifts up the track.
  • Loose: rear steps out; car wants to spin.
  • Draft/Dirty air: disturbed airflow behind/alongside cars that can reduce your front grip.
  • Tire falloff: lap times drop as tires wear; the high line often gains relative speed over a run.

Symptoms → likely causes → fixes (beginner-focused)

• You push into the wall mid‑corner
  • Cause: Entered too fast; tight in dirty air; too much steering angle creating scrub.
  • Fix: Lift earlier; trail brake lightly to plant the nose; reduce steering input. If setups are available, decrease wedge a small amount or increase right‑rear pressure slightly.
• Car is slow on entry but fast off
  • Cause: Overly cautious lift/early turn.
  • Fix: Arc wider before turn-in; carry a bit more entry speed and use gentle trail brake.
• Snaps loose off the corner near the wall
  • Cause: Back to full throttle too soon; rear is too free.
  • Fix: Feed throttle in slower; add a touch of wedge or lower right‑rear pressure if you can.
• Lose speed when side‑by‑side with an inside car
  • Cause: Inside car side‑drafting; your car is in dirty air.
  • Fix: Small lane change down the straight to break side draft; lift a hair earlier to keep clean air on your right‑front in the turn.
• Inconsistent laps up top
  • Cause: Chasing the wall; camera or sensitivity too twitchy.
  • Fix: Switch to hood/cockpit view; lower steering sensitivity; focus on a half‑lane margin.

Step-by-step: How to do it

1. Start a safe practice

• Likely path: Single Player (or Solo) > Practice/Testing > Choose an intermediate oval.
• If you see “Race Now” only: start a race weekend and enter Practice from the event menu.

2. Set assists and view for control

• Look for “Assists/Driving Aids/Gameplay.”
• Turn on the dynamic racing line/braking markers if available.
• Enable moderate Stability Control. Reduce Steering Sensitivity/Linearity one step. Set small steering deadzone if your stick is twitchy.
• Camera: pick Hood or Cockpit for depth near the wall.

3. Quick‑tune the car (only if you have trouble)

• Look for “Setup/Car Setup/Quick Tune.”
• If tight on the outside: one click “looser” on a simple slider. If detailed options appear, try −0.25 turns of wedge or +0.5 psi right‑rear.
• If loose off: one click “tighter,” or +0.25 wedge / −0.5 psi right‑rear.
• Make one change at a time; test 3–5 laps.

4. Drive the line

• Entry: Lift slightly earlier than the bottom line. Start a wider arc; turn the wheel less.
• Mid: Aim a half‑lane from the wall. Hold 60–80% throttle; avoid big stabs.
• Exit: Let the car unwind to the wall with a 1–2 ft buffer. Full throttle only if it won’t drift up.

5. Validate

• You should see steadier mid‑corner speed and stronger exit speed.
• Lap times may only match the bottom early, then improve as tires wear—that’s normal.

Common gotcha: Chasing lap time by turning more. On the high line, less wheel + earlier lift + smoother throttle wins.

Beginner settings & assists (recommended)

• Beginner:
  • Stability Control: Medium
  • ABS/Brake Assist (if present): On/Low for smooth entries
  • Steering Sensitivity: −1 from default
  • Camera: Hood/Cockpit
  • Why: Keeps the car planted near the wall and calms inputs.
• Intermediate:
  • Stability: Low
  • Racing Line: Corners only
  • Steering Sensitivity: Back to default; small deadzone
  • Why: More feel, less assist intervention.
• Advanced:
  • Stability: Off
  • Racing Line: Off
  • Full manual setup tweaks
  • Why: Maximum pace and tire management control.

Practice drill (10 minutes)

• Track: Any intermediate oval with multiple grooves (if available).
• Drill: Run 3‑lap sets. Lap 1 bottom, Lap 2 middle, Lap 3 outside. Repeat for 3 sets.
• Focus: Earlier lift on the high line, minimal steering, smooth throttle build. Keep a 1–2 ft wall gap.
• Success looks like: Equal or better exit speed on the outside and equal/better lap time by the final set.
• Avoid: Forcing full throttle too early; it creates push into the wall.

Common beginner mistakes (and the fix)

• Entering too hot up top
  • Why: The lane looks wide; you trust speed.
  • Fix: Lift earlier and trail brake gently to settle the nose.
• Pinching the exit
  • Why: Afraid of the wall.
  • Fix: Commit to the arc; unwind hands and let the car flow out.
• Overcorrecting near the wall
  • Why: High sensitivity.
  • Fix: Lower steering sensitivity; smaller, earlier inputs.
• Riding in dirty air behind a car’s quarter
  • Why: Following their wake reduces front grip.
  • Fix: Offset your nose slightly to find clean air.
• Side‑drafted to a stall on the straight
  • Why: Inside car hooks your right‑rear air.
  • Fix: Small lane change to break draft, then re‑establish your arc.
• Changing three setup things at once
  • Why: Chasing a feel quickly.
  • Fix: One change, short test, compare laps.
• Hugging the wall too tight
  • Why: Thinking closer is always faster.
  • Fix: Maintain a consistent 1–2 ft buffer to reduce risk and scrub.

FAQs

• Is the outside line faster at every track in NASCAR 25?
  • No. It usually comes in on longer runs or at tracks with progressive banking. Early in a run the bottom can be quicker; the high line can take over as tires wear.
• How close should I run to the wall?
  • About 1–2 feet is a good beginner target. Too close risks scrapes; too far loses momentum.
• How do I complete an outside pass?
  • Get alongside before entry, lift a touch earlier to arc, carry mid‑corner speed, and clear them off the corner. Don’t pinch the inside car; give lanes and win on exit.
• What setup change helps a tight car on the outside?
  • If available, a small wedge decrease or a slight right‑rear pressure increase can free the car off. Make tiny changes and test.
• Why do I feel tight in traffic on the high side?
  • Dirty air reduces front grip. Offset your nose for clean air, lift earlier, and use less wheel.
• Controller or wheel—what’s easier up top?
  • Both work. On a controller, reduce steering sensitivity and use hood view. On a wheel, add a touch of damping and focus on smooth throttle build.
• Which tracks favor the outside line?
  • In most NASCAR titles, multi‑groove intermediates and some worn surfaces reward the high line, especially on long runs. If your track list shows progressive banking, test the outside.

Next steps

The outside line rewards patience and smooth hands. Lift a bit sooner, turn less, and let the car breathe—your exit speed will do the passing. Jump into a 10‑minute practice and run the drill above; then try a short race to apply it in traffic.

Related articles:

• Corner Entry: Brake, Lift, and Arc Basics
• Side Drafting and Clean Air Positioning
• Tire Wear and Long‑Run Pace
• Controller/Wheel Settings for Smooth Inputs
• Quick Pit Box Tweaks: Wedge, Track Bar, Pressures