Quick Question

[Nascar3man]

I'm trying my hand at the COT for the first time. I've simulated many races at Martinsville, but I was wondering if there is a way to get the field to be closer. Most of my races consist of 6-8 cars on the lead lap. I want it to be realistic. Is there a way to where the field will be closer in speed so that 15-20 cars can be on the lead lap?

I know I can make the driver ratings closer, but I don't want to make making the drivers ratings closer can make it unrealisticly likely that a guy like Travis Kvapil, Bobby Labonte, etc. can end up finishing in the top 10 or 15 when that will never happen. The same could be said for Jimmie Johnson. He could end up being 5 laps down in 30th. That's not very realistic. So besides driver ratings, is there any way to make the field have closer speed desparity?

 

[richsilver]

Ratings can be used on a race to race basis. I make my own, but have used NRatings with Snyderart's formula and just single race results.

I've found that putting out cautions in the spot that they actually occurred really helps. That keeps more on the lead lap.

I get the results from Racing-Reference and set the grid and put out the cautions just like the race. It will never be perfect, but have had good results. No really weird finishes outside of in game crashes that can mess with the order once in awhile.

Setting the actual grid, then using single race results means a lot of passing, with poor qualifiers coming up and those having issues falling back. It's fun to watch the replays.

I have gone to using single file starts also. The ai in most cases, don't do very well with lapped traffic on the inside. lol

I do 50% distances and am really pleased with how most work out given what we have to work with.

I've modified my track ini's for sure too, since short tracks can be murder on finishers with all the contact, most under caution. lol