Driving styles begin to undergo alterations at this time of the year. Nobody can afford a Did Not Finish, so a bit more care is taken in looking for opportunities to pass and then in making the pass. Spotters become almost as important as drivers. We have kind of used our mistakes up. Now we have to count on other people's.
Pressure is also higher on the people in the garages.
They cannot afford equipment malfunctions. Mistakes in the pits can be killers. All the homework must be completed on time. In the July race at Loudon, Tony Stewart lost when he ran out of gas near the end. All advantages must be exploited.