Slide Job

New to NASCAR 25? Learn the Slide Job—when to use it, how to do it cleanly, and settings to practice safely. Includes quick steps, drills, and fixes.

You dive low, it sticks… then you wash up and door the leader. Every beginner tries a Slide Job too late or too hot and pays for it. This guide shows you how to land a clean Slide Job with control and respect—so you pass, not punt.

Quick answer

A Slide Job is a corner-entry pass: you enter low, brake early, rotate the car, and slide up to clear the other driver before corner exit. The key is entering a half-car length ahead by the apex. If you’re still side-by-side at the center, expect a crossover. Brake earlier than you think, turn sooner, and commit to throttle only after your nose is in front.

Do this now (60 seconds)

• Load a solo Practice or Test Drive session on a short oval (look for Bristol, Martinsville, or Richmond).
• Turn on a racing line/braking guide if available; focus on earlier braking marks.
• Run 3 laps to warm tires, then practice entering one lane lower than normal and lifting earlier. Aim to be ahead by the center of the corner.

What this means in NASCAR 25

• Slide Job, in plain English: You dive under a car at corner entry, rotate on the low line, then “slide” up in front of them on exit. It’s aggressive but can be clean if you’re clear before their nose reaches your quarter panel.
• Why it matters: It’s one of the safest ways to pass on short ovals. Done right, it saves time, limits door-banging, and reduces cautions. It also teaches throttle discipline and car rotation control you’ll use everywhere.
• Jargon in brief:
  • Tight (push): Car won’t turn; wants to go straight.
  • Loose: Rear steps out; oversteer.
  • Draft/aero push: Turbulence reduces front grip when following closely.
  • Tire falloff: Grip decreases as tires wear; slide jobs need more margin on old tires.
  • Cautions: Yellow flags for incidents; avoid turning a pass attempt into a wreck.

Symptoms → likely causes → fixes (beginner-focused)

• You hit the other car’s door on exit — Entered too late/too fast; didn’t clear by center — Brake earlier, turn sooner, and get to throttle later so you rotate sooner and exit straighter.
• You spin on entry — Too much rear brake or trail braking while turning sharply — Reduce brake pressure earlier; straighten the wheel as you finish braking; add a touch of throttle to settle rear.
• You don’t complete the pass (they cross over) — Not far enough alongside by apex — Set up earlier: get to their bumper mid-straight, lift early, diamond the corner to be ahead at center.
• Car pushes up the track mid-corner — Aero push or over-slowed entry with late throttle — Enter lower and earlier; a small mid-corner maintenance throttle helps front grip.
• AI doors you on exit — You slid without being clear — Commit only if your nose is at least to their front wheel by turn-in; if not, reset and try next lap.
• Penalties/cautions from contact — Turning across their nose — Wait an extra beat before sliding up; hold middle groove an extra car length if you’re unsure.

Step-by-step: How to do it

1. Set up the pass

   • Enter a Practice or Quick Race. If menus differ, look for “Single Player,” “Practice,” or “Test Session.”
   • Follow a car by one to two car lengths on corner exit. Use draft to close on the straight.

2. Commit early

   • Move to the inside before braking zone. You want overlap (your nose at their door) before you hit the brakes.
   • Brake 5–10% earlier than your normal mark. Slide jobs are won by early control, not late bravery.

3. Rotate low

   • Turn in slightly earlier and tighter. Trail brake lightly into the center to help rotation.
   • If manual shifting is enabled, downshift smoothly before apex; avoid downshifting mid-rotation.

4. Clear at the center

   • Aim to have your front bumper ahead by the apex. If you aren’t at least even, abandon the slide and run the bottom—try again next lap.

5. Slide up with space

   • Feed in throttle as the car points up-track. Drift to the preferred groove, leaving half a lane if you aren’t 100% clear.
   • Listen for the spotter/relative HUD. If they call “Still there,” hold middle for another car length.

6. Block the crossover (legally)

   • On exit, don’t over-rotate. A straight, strong drive off prevents them from diving back under you in the next corner.

Common gotcha: If you feel the wheel go light mid-corner, you’re coasting too long. Add a small, steady throttle to plant the front tires and reduce push.

Beginner settings & assists (recommended)

• Beginner:
  • Stability control: On/High to prevent spins while rotating low.
  • Traction control: Low–Medium to keep rear planted on exit.
  • Braking assist/ABS: On if available; helps you brake earlier without lockup.
  • Racing line: Braking zones On. Focus on moving your braking point earlier.
  • AI difficulty: Lower until you can complete 3 clean slide jobs in 10 laps.
• Intermediate:
  • Stability Low, Traction Low, Braking assist Off.
  • Racing line Corners Only. Raise AI gradually.
• Advanced:
  • Assists Off. No racing line. Match AI to race pace and practice defending the crossover.

Note: If NASCAR 25 offers steering sensitivity or linearity, reduce sensitivity slightly for smoother inputs on short tracks.

Practice drill (10 minutes)

• Track: Any short oval under one mile (e.g., Bristol, Martinsville, Richmond). If unsure, pick a tight oval in the track list.
• Drill:
  1. Run 3 laps to heat tires.
  2. Pick an AI car and stay one car length back on exit.
  3. On the next straight, move inside early. Brake 5–10% earlier and turn in sooner.
  4. Target: Clear by apex. If not clear, hold bottom and reset.
• Focus: Early braking, early rotation, clean exit.
• Success looks like: 3 clean passes with zero contact and no wall scrub.
• Avoid: Diving too late. If your nose isn’t at least to their door at turn-in, don’t go.

Common beginner mistakes (and the fix)

• Diving from two car lengths back
  • Why: Overconfidence in brakes.
  • Fix: Get alongside before braking; use draft to close earlier.
• Turning across their nose
  • Why: Assuming you’re clear.
  • Fix: Wait for clear call/indicator; leave half a lane if uncertain.
• Over-slowing and getting crossed over
  • Why: Too much brake, too long off-throttle.
  • Fix: Maintain a small throttle through center to carry speed.
• Spinning on entry
  • Why: Heavy trail brake with wheel cranked.
  • Fix: Ease off brake as you add steering; straighten hands before full release.
• Washing up into the wall on exit
  • Why: Early, hard throttle while still yawed.
  • Fix: Unwind the wheel first, then add throttle smoothly.
• Trying slide jobs on superspeedways
  • Why: Wrong tool for high-speed pack racing.
  • Fix: Use drafting and runs at Daytona/Talladega; save slide jobs for short tracks and some intermediates.
• Ignoring tire wear
  • Why: Old tires reduce grip and widen your slide.
  • Fix: Add 5–10% brake earlier and reduce corner entry speed as tires fall off.

FAQs

• What is a Slide Job in NASCAR 25?

  • It’s a pass where you enter low, rotate under the other car, and slide up ahead by corner exit. The move hinges on being at least even by the apex and clearing without contact.

• When should I use a Slide Job?

  • Best at short tracks and some intermediates when you can get overlap before turn-in. Avoid superspeedways and high-speed aero corners where draft and side draft are safer.

• How do I defend against a Slide Job?

  • Anticipate it: lift early, cut under (crossover) on exit, and repass down the next straight. Or protect the inside before braking so they can’t get alongside.

• Why do I keep getting wrecked doing slide jobs?

  • You’re turning up-track before you’re clear. Brake earlier, get alongside sooner, and leave space if your spotter/HUD says “Still there.”

• Do I need to use the brakes?

  • Yes. A controlled early brake sets rotation. Pure lift-and-coast often leads to push and door contact.

• Can I practice without AI?

  • Yes. In most NASCAR titles you can load Practice/Time Trial. Set ghost laps and use cones/braking boards to rehearse the earlier entry and low rotation.

• Which camera view works best?

  • Whatever gives you depth on corner entry. Chase cam helps see overlap; cockpit/hood improves precision. Try both and stick with the one that lets you judge clearance.

• Does setup matter for slide jobs?

  • If setup options exist, a slightly freer (less tight) center helps rotation. If there’s a steering sensitivity or brake bias slider, aim for smooth turn-in and stable rears.

Next steps

• Recap: A clean Slide Job is about early commitment—get alongside before braking, rotate low, clear by center, and slide up only when you’re sure. Practice on short ovals with assists that build confidence.
• Do this next: Load a short-track Practice, complete 3 clean slide jobs, then nudge assists down and raise AI one step.
• Related articles:
  • Short-track passing basics and racing etiquette
  • Defending the inside and the crossover move
  • Corner entry: braking points and trail braking 101
  • Reading tire falloff and adjusting your line
  • Spotter, mirrors, and situational awareness setup