NASCAR Trucks

Know everything about iRacing's NASCAR Trucks including technical specs, braking tips and more.

NASCAR Trucks - NASCAR race car

Image © iRacing.com Motorsport Simulations

Chassis

Weight 3330 lbs
Drive RWD

Power

Engine 5.86 Liters
Power 680 bhp
Torque 520 lb-ft

Brakes

Type Manual Bias
Pad Compounds Standard
Electronics None

Bias Range

Adjustable

ABS

None

Downforce

Medium

Setup

Advanced

How the NASCAR Trucks Handles Braking

The NASCAR Trucks features an adjustable front brake bias system that allows drivers to tune braking performance for track conditions and personal preference. With 680 bhp pushing 3600 lbs (wet weight with driver), these trucks generate significant weight transfer under braking, making brake bias adjustment critical for both stopping power and stability. Values above 50% send more pressure to the front wheels, while lower values increase rear braking force—typical configurations favor front bias to manage the aggressive weight transfer and prevent rear lock-up.

The truck's unique "pigtail" coil-bind front suspension adds complexity to braking behavior. Under heavy braking, weight transfer compresses the soft initial spring rate (around 200 lb/in) before transitioning to the stiffer bound rate. This progressive characteristic means brake pedal feel and front-end stability can change mid-braking zone as springs transition. Low-speed compression damping on front shocks becomes crucial—higher settings transfer load more aggressively but can compromise bump compliance on rougher surfaces.

On ovals, consider how crossweight and nose weight interact with braking. Higher nose weight (adjusted via ballast position) increases directional stability under braking but can make the truck feel heavy into corners. For road courses, negative front camber improves cornering but reduces longitudinal braking grip, requiring careful balance between turn-in performance and straight-line stopping power.

Grounded in official iRacing manual data
Practice in the App

Stop Guessing, Start Improving

Many drivers slam the brakes with all their strength, but the fastest modulate pressure, use the brake to rotate the car, and exit as fast as possible. Train that skill here.

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Browser-based training works with any racing pedals or controllers. Fanatec, Thrustmaster, Logitech, Simucube — no installation required.

Pro-Designed Exercises

Access exercises created by professional sim racers like Suellio Almeida. Learn the exact braking patterns used by the fastest drivers.

Import NASCAR Trucks Telemetry

Drop your Garage61 lap CSV and extract braking data for every corner. Generate personalized practice exercises based on YOUR telemetry, not generic patterns.

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3 Essential Setup Tips

Tip 1

Brake Bias

Brake bias controls front/rear brake force distribution. Start with 56-58% front for most cars. Engine placement matters: front-engine cars need more front bias (58-62%), mid-engine cars run balanced (54-58%), rear-engine cars need less (50-54%). Understeering under braking? Add 1-2% front bias. Rear feels loose in braking zones? Reduce front bias by 1-2%.

Tip 2

Know Your Car

Check if your car has ABS, traction control, or brake mapping. ABS allows later braking but can increase stopping distance—adjust activation threshold in setup. High-downforce cars brake later and harder at speed but lose grip quickly as downforce bleeds off. Low-downforce cars require earlier, progressive braking with more trail-braking to rotate.

Tip 3

Quick Fixes

Locking fronts frequently? Reduce front bias 1-2% or brake earlier with gradual pressure. Car won't turn in under braking? Increase front bias 1% and practice trail-braking deeper into corners. Rear unstable in braking zones? Reduce rear bias or use smoother pedal release.

Master Your Braking

Common questions about braking in this car. Practice these techniques in our free app.

What's the best brake bias for the NASCAR Trucks?
Most cars work well starting with 56-58% front bias. Adjust based on behavior: if you're locking fronts frequently, reduce front bias by 1-2%. If the rear feels unstable under braking, increase front bias. Engine placement matters too—front-engine cars typically need more front bias (58-62%), while mid/rear-engine cars run more balanced (54-58%). Always adjust in small increments and test.

Does the NASCAR Trucks have ABS or traction control?
Check your car's setup screen for available driver aids. Cars with ABS allow later, more aggressive braking but may increase stopping distances. If ABS is available, you can adjust its activation threshold in setup—higher thresholds give more control but require smoother inputs. Cars without ABS require progressive brake application to avoid lockups. Practice threshold braking in our app to develop the muscle memory for both scenarios.

Why do my brakes lock up in the NASCAR Trucks?
Brake lockups typically happen from: (1) Too much front brake bias—reduce by 1-2%. (2) Too aggressive initial brake application—practice progressive pressure buildup. (3) Trail-braking too deep into the corner—release brake pressure earlier. (4) Cold tires or brakes—take an extra warm-up lap. (5) Downforce loss at lower speeds—brake earlier and lighter through slow corners. Use our Hold Pressure and Threshold Braking exercises to build the sensitivity needed to stay just below the lockup point.

How late can I brake in the NASCAR Trucks compared to similar cars?
Braking points depend on: (1) Downforce level—high-downforce cars brake 50-100ft later than low-downforce cars. (2) Weight—lighter cars brake later but have less grip margin. (3) Brake size and cooling—larger brakes handle repeated heavy braking better. (4) ABS availability—ABS cars can brake slightly later. Start conservative and move your braking point later by 5-10ft each lap until you find the limit. The key is consistency, not just maximum lateness.

How can I practice braking in the NASCAR Trucks?
Braking Lab offers free web-based exercises that work with any wheel/pedal setup—no download needed. Try Hold Pressure to develop steady brake application, Trail Braking to master corner entry, and Threshold Braking to find the lockup limit safely. Each exercise gives instant feedback and tracks your progress. Practice 10 minutes before your race session to build muscle memory that translates directly to the track.

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