Tri-Oval

A tri-oval is a race track design that looks like a rounded triangle, featuring three distinct sides with curved corners instead of the traditional four-turn oval shape found on many racing circuits.

The name "tri-oval" comes from combining "tri" (meaning three) with "oval," describing how these tracks blend triangular geometry with the smooth, rounded curves of an oval. While a standard oval track has two straightaways and two turns, a tri-oval typically has a curved front stretch, a straight backstretch, and two banked corner sections that connect them.

The most distinctive feature of a tri-oval is its curved front straightaway, sometimes called the "fifth turn." This is the section where the grandstands and pit road are located. Instead of being perfectly straight like a traditional oval, this stretch bows outward, creating that characteristic triangular appearance when viewed from above.

Bill France Sr., the founder of NASCAR, pioneered the tri-oval design when planning Daytona International Speedway in the 1950s. His primary goal was to improve the viewing experience for spectators. With the curved front stretch, fans sitting in the grandstands can see cars approaching from the previous turn, racing past them, and heading into the next turn without having to turn their heads as much or lean forward to follow the action.

The tri-oval shape also offers racing advantages. The design can allow drivers to carry more speed through certain sections of the track, particularly when exiting the final turn onto the front stretch. Many tri-ovals feature banking, which means the track surface is angled or tilted in the turns, helping cars maintain higher speeds through corners.

Famous examples of tri-oval tracks include Daytona International Speedway and Talladega Superspeedway, both known for high-speed racing. Other tri-ovals include Kansas Speedway, Las Vegas Motor Speedway, and Pocono Raceway. Each has its own unique characteristics, though many modern tri-ovals built in the 1990s and 2000s share similar dimensions and are sometimes called "cookie cutter" tracks due to their resemblance to one another.

A related design is the "quad-oval," which features an additional curve or "double dogleg" on the front stretch, creating four distinct sections rather than three. On quad-oval tracks, the start-finish line is typically located on a straight section rather than on a curve.

Understanding track shapes like the tri-oval helps explain why racing looks different at various venues and why drivers must adjust their techniques depending on where they're competing.