The trick is to really work on the setups on the cars. It'll be really easy once ya figure out how the gear ratios work and how to tighten up or loosen the car.
Another thing is to take two tires on the pit stops (if you're racing on 5%) and on that pit stop, to either loosen up or tighten the car to compensate for how much grip and bite the car will lose when cornering because of the worn tires. That and the pack will run you down pretty fast but then you do have the advantage of track position.
Also, let off the throttle to save fuel and share draft as much as possible so you can take less fuel when pitting. Hopefully you'll pile up some top 5 finishes and when you do, some good rides will come your way.
In my opinion, the easiest tracks to win at are Daytona, Talladega and Bristol in your rookie year. Adjust the tire pressure at Daytona and Talladega to about 30 psi and you'll take the pole.
Here are some gear ratios you might wanna use for the tracks. If you could keep your car in control in the turns then you'll be fine.
GEAR RATIO
ATLANTA
3.60\1.90\1.40\1.00\3.55
BRISTOL
3.60\1.90\1.80\1.40\3.65
CALIFORNIA
3.60\1.90\1.30\0.99\3.50
CHICAGOLAND
3.60\2.10\1.45\1.04\3.50
DARLINGTON
3.60\2.10\1.55\1.11\3.50
DAYTONA
Stock 1-3 4th-0.98\3.70
DOVER
3.60\2.30\1.70\1.17\3.50
HOMESTEAD
3.60\2.10\1.55\1.11\3.50
INDIANAPOLIS
3.60\2.10\1.55\1.00\3.60
INFINEON
3.60\2.30\1.80\1.35\3.50
KANSAS
3.60\2.10\1.45\1.07\3.50
LAS VEGAS
3.60\2.10\1.55\1.07\3.50
LOWES
3.60\2.10\1.45\1.03\3.55
MARTINSVILLE
3.60\2.40\1.90\1.59\3.50
MICHIGAN
3.60\1.90\1.30\0.94\3.75
NEW HAMPSHIRE
3.60\2.30\1.80\1.37\3.50
NORTH CAROLINA
3.60\2.30\1.70\1.19\3.50
PHEONIX
3.60\2.30\1.70\1.20\3.50
POCONO
3.60\1.90\1.35\0.96\3.75
RICHMOND
3.60\2.30\1.80\1.37\3.50
TALLEDEGA
3.60\1.80\1.25\0.90\4.00
TEXAS
3.60\2.10\1.45\1.04\3.50
WATKINS GLEN
3.60\2.30\1.70\1.20\3.50
