NASCAR 09 Pitstops

[Papi34]

Hi guys, I'm a bit of a newbie to NASCAR so bear with me. I'm really enjoying the 09 game and wanted to throw in a pitstop or two into my 20% distance races so I've upped the wear a little bit (tried 2x and 3x).
The thing is, I end up having to pit for fuel near the end of the race but the AI cars don't so I drop to near last. I know I could pit earlier to give me time to work my way back up through the field but it just seems daft that the AI cars don't pit at all.
I tried a long race at Indy with normal wear and again, I had to pit for fuel near the end but not one AI car did.

I'm probably being really dense and missing something obvious (like starting with more fuel but can't seem to find that.), but could anyone give me a bit of guidance on how to get pitstops running realistically. Thanks very much.

[av7]

Re: NASCAR 09 Pitstops

Are you runninng with perfomance points? Especially with engine upgrades, you'll be knocking off laps from your run.

[Papi34]

Re: NASCAR 09 Pitstops

Yeah, I am. Quite a few engine upgrades.
So does that mean my car is gulping fuel, hence the reduced no. of laps?

Thanks avrbas.

[av7]

Re: NASCAR 09 Pitstops

Yeah, I am. Quite a few engine upgrades.
So does that mean my car is gulping fuel, hence the reduced no. of laps?

Thanks avrbas.

Ya with engine upgrade that means more hp and that uses more fuel. The odd thing is if you upgrade the aero package from default, it screws with the mpg of the car/truck. I dont know why its messed up. But default points you should be on par with the rest of the field

[Papi34]

Re: NASCAR 09 Pitstops

Thanks very much for that mate, much appreciated.

[av7]

Re: NASCAR 09 Pitstops

Thanks very much for that mate, much appreciated.

Np glad to help. Are you planning on restarting and keeping the points at default or just upgrading the cars till its benefitial?

[Papi34]

Re: NASCAR 09 Pitstops

I'm a bit gutted you can't reset your points and start over and I don't want to do a total restart so think I'll just try an upgrade other areas to try and get a balance, if that's possible?
Any ideas which upgrade might get might mpg up again?

Had a great race at Pocono earlier from pole at 40 laps and 2x wear. I had to pit about 5 laps before everyone else but came out at 20th after the field went in. After the only caution of the race I managed to get up to 7th before I had to pit again about lap 30. Decided to risk it and just take fuel. After the field pitted I was leading but struggling with the tyres.
Must have swapped the lead with Carl Edwards about 10 times in the last three laps as I was struggling with the tyres. Had the lead going into the last turn but had to back off too much as I was fighting for grip and Edwards jinked up my inside. Managed to get back along side on the straight but Edwards pipped me by about a foot. One of the best videogame races I've ever had. The pitstops certainly make things a lot more interesting, just wish they could still be a bit more realistic after upgrading.