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Cedar Lake Speedway

Learn about Cedar Lake Speedway

Cedar Lake Speedway iRacing Dirt Guide: Lines, Setups, and Racecraft

Real-world background

Cedar Lake Speedway is a high-banked 3/8-mile clay oval located near New Richmond, Wisconsin. It’s a staple on the Midwestern dirt schedule, known for elbows-up racing, a heavy outside cushion, and a race surface that rewards smart line changes. In iRacing, Cedar Lake delivers the same identity: fast corner entries, big momentum on the top, and a bottom that can pay off if you’re smooth and patient.

Size, layout, banking, and character

  • Length: 3/8 mile (0.375 mi) dirt oval
  • Shape: Traditional oval with noticeable banking and a slight difference in corner feel between each end
  • Banking: High, with a progressive feel that promotes multiple grooves as the track evolves
  • Walls: Outside walls are close enough to punish mistakes, especially off Turn 4
  • Inside: An inside berm/rumble strip area to define the bottom. Hooking a tire or cutting too low can upset the car

Typical racing lines and how they change

  • Early (tacky): Bottom-to-middle is quick, especially into Turn 1. You can arc the car into 3 with a middle exit to keep the engine in the power band.
  • Mid-session (mixed): The middle slicks first. A committed cushion develops high in both ends—especially 3–4. The low line in 1–2 can come and go based on moisture retention.
  • Late (slick): Top dominates in 3–4 when well-formed; 1–2 offers a slider line or a diamond if the bottom retains moisture. Alternating ends—top in 3–4, bottom or slide in 1–2—often becomes the fastest full-lap combo.

Surface evolution: cushion, slick zones, and moisture

  • Cushion: Builds up against the wall in both ends. It’s usually thicker and more forgiving in 3–4. In 1–2 it can feel narrower and riskier.
  • Slick zones: Middle of 1–2 slicks early. Entry to 1 and exit of 2 black over quickly in long runs. Mid-corner in 3 can glaze, pushing you up to the top.
  • Moisture: The bottom in 1 can hold a strip of moisture for restarts and heats; by the feature, the low line often requires elite throttle discipline.
  • Marbles: As the cushion grows, a thin marbly band can form just below it—avoid floating in this no-grip zone.

2) Key Things to Know About Cedar Lake

1) Turn 4 exit bites hard

The outside wall off 4 comes quickly. As the cushion gets tall, it’s easy to clip the wall with the right rear on exit. Keep your right-front pointed down the straight early in throttle application.

2) Middle of 1–2 slicks first

Expect the mid-lane in 1–2 to go away before other zones. Either commit to a thin moisture strip low or lean into the top early. The indecisive middle is where lap time dies.

3) Cushion is king in 3–4 late in runs

Even with a crumbly edge, the top in 3–4 carries massive momentum. The line’s width changes; be ready to adjust your entry height to hit the meat of the cushion.

4) Bottom still matters on restarts

On cooler/heavier tracks or right after a caution, the low line in 1 is excellent for a few laps. If you time the throttle, you can launch off 2 and defend sliders.

5) Don’t over-rotate on entry

The banking invites you to throw it in. Too much rear slip on entry to 1 will push you into the glazed middle. Keep the car straighter than you think, especially in heavier cars.

6) Apex discipline in 3

Turn 3 rewards an early, shallow entry to set the car for a late, straight exit. Overdriving entry to 3 increases push and kills exit speed.

  • Tacky: Cars tend to feel tight on exit; you’ll fight push in traffic. Favor stability and drive off.
  • Slick: The track rewards a freer car that rotates mid-corner but remains predictable over the cushion. Wing back in sprints, slight RR emphasis in fendered cars.

8) Gearing

You want clean throttle pickup off 2 and 4 without banging the limiter on short runs. Cedar Lake rewards gearing that lets you ride the cushion without sudden wheelspin spikes.

9) Rookie mistakes

  • Chasing the middle too long as it slicks
  • Entering too high and missing the cushion seam
  • Pinching exit off 4 and smacking the wall
  • Overusing the brake and unloading the rear

10) Traffic awareness

Slider lanes are common in 1. You must anticipate crossovers off 2. Leave an out for both cars; wrecks start when the slider and the turn-down meet at the same apex.

3) Best Strategies for Fast Laps

Optimal entry points

  • Turn 1: On a tacky track, aim for a car-width off the bottom, roll in with minimal brake, and let the banking pull you through. As it slicks, try a shallow slider line: enter low-to-middle, drift up to catch residual grip mid-exit.
  • Turn 3: Slightly earlier brake/roll than 1. Approach with a gentle arc, get the car settled, and let it float up to the cushion if you’re running high. Bottom feeding requires patience—touch the berm, don’t bounce over it.

Brake and throttle control

  • Use the brake to set attitude, not to slow dramatically. A brief brush to plant the nose is often enough.
  • On throttle, prioritize a smooth squeeze from the apex out. Cedar Lake rewards forward drive more than flamboyant throttle stabs.

Reading grip levels

  • Visual cues: Darker glossy patches (slick), lighter brown with visible moisture (grip), and the fluffy cushion on top (grip with risk).
  • Audio/feel: If the car chatters or “skates” on entry, you’re too fast or in glaze. If it plows mid-corner, your line is too low or you’re pinching the exit.

Adjusting line as the track slicks

  • Early: Middle arcs are fine; slight diamonding off 2 keeps the car straight.
  • Mid: Migrate upward in 3–4 earlier than 1–2. Use the bottom in 1 if it retains moisture; otherwise, slider lines to get clean air.
  • Late: Commit to top in 3–4; pair it with bottom/slider in 1–2 depending on traffic. Don’t hesitate to swap ends—many fast laps are “top 3–4, bottom 1–2” or vice versa.

Mid-corner rotation tips

  • Keep your hands calm. Let the banking rotate the car.
  • Slight brake tap on entry, release before apex to let the rear free up.
  • If you’re tight: open your entry a lane higher or trail a touch of brake longer to keep the nose in.

Exit strategies for straightaway speed

  • Off 2: Prioritize exit angle. If you’re chasing grip high, get the wheel straight early. On the bottom, avoid pinching; aim to let the car drift to mid-track.
  • Off 4: Trust the cushion but don’t force extra throttle late. Get the right-rear set, feel the car rise into the cushion, then squeeze to full as the wheel unwinds.

4) Race Strategy and Situational Tips

Racing other cars

  • Cedar Lake creates slider/crossover scenarios in 1–2. If you send a slider, leave a lane high at exit to avoid netcode taps. If you’re defending, lift early and cross under; you’ll often repass down the backstretch.

Passing zones and risks

  • Primary: Slide into 1, complete by exit of 2.
  • Secondary: Run the cushion in 3–4 and force pressure down the front stretch.
  • Risks: Half-hearted sliders that don’t clear by center of 2 lead to door contact. Likewise, diving 3 late rarely sticks unless you’re significantly faster.

Defensive lines

  • In clean air, top of 3–4 is hard to pass. Protect the cushion by entering a half lane lower to discourage sliders.
  • Into 1, defend bottom restarts by entering low and easing up to mid—this covers both the dive and the cutback.

Heat race vs. feature race

  • Heats: The track is tighter. Bottom and middle are viable. Qualify well; clean air helps you choose your preferred groove early.
  • Feature: Expect two dominant lanes and a blackened middle. Be ready to switch ends. Track position is crucial, but tire and throttle discipline matter more than hero sliders.

Adapting during long runs

  • Monitor cushion shape. If it starts to crumble and thin, lower your entry slightly and catch the seam rather than the very top.
  • If the bottom shows a fresh brown strip after a caution, test it for a lap—especially in 1. If it works, commit before the field notices.

5) Car-Specific Tips

Winged 360/410 Sprint Cars

  • Wing slider: Early (tacky), keep the wing forward for better turn-in. As it slicks, move it back incrementally for rear grip and stability over the cushion.
  • Line: Top in 3–4 is usually money once worn in. In 1–2, execute precise sliders or committed top runs. Minimize wheelspin off 2—small lifts can be faster than pedaling.
  • Technique: Carry entry speed with a short brake brush. Keep the car straight on exit; wheelspin kills speed and builds heat.

Pro Late Models / Super Late Models

  • Balance: Slightly freer than normal for mid-corner rotation, but not so free that the car whips on cushion transitions.
  • Line: Bottom in 1 works early; migrate to cushion in 3–4 mid-race. Diamonding off 2 with a tiny throttle delay is often quickest.
  • Throttle: Roll in progressively. Let the LR hike naturally; don’t shock the rear with big pedal jabs.

Street Stocks

  • Momentum: Smooth is everything. Avoid big yaw on entry—carry speed and keep the car square to the exit.
  • Line: Middle-to-low in 1 early. As it slicks, try the top in 3–4 for drive, and a disciplined low in 1–2 on restarts.
  • Contact: Expect door-to-door racing. Give extra room on the cushion; recovery is slower in these cars.

Dirt Modifieds

  • Rotation: Use a brief brake set to point the nose, then neutral throttle to keep it free. They reward precise inputs more than big slides.
  • Line: Top of 3–4 late is strong. 1–2 often needs a slider-diamond approach to keep RPMs up.
  • Setup feel: You’ll want enough sidebite to catch the cushion transitions without chattering the RF.

6) Setup Suggestions (General)

Note: Keep changes incremental and legal within iRacing’s rules. These are track-tendency guidelines, not exact numbers.

Stagger

  • Tacky: Moderate stagger to keep drive off the corner and reduce nervousness on entry.
  • Slick: Increase stagger slightly to free the car mid-corner and help rotation, especially for sprints and mods. For fendered cars, balance stagger with rear percentage so you don’t lose forward bite.

Wing angle (winged sprints)

  • Early: More forward (flatter) for front bite and responsiveness.
  • Slick: Move the wing back and add angle for rear stability over the cushion and better drive off. Adjust a click at a time to avoid push on entry.

Shocks and springs (general tendencies)

  • Tacky: Slightly stiffer front can give confidence on entry; keep rear supportive for drive.
  • Slick: Soften the rear slightly for traction and compliance. Ensure the RR isn’t so soft that it falls into the slick and chatters. Slightly more RR rebound can stabilize cushion runs, but too much hurts compliance.
  • Late Models/Mods: Maintain enough RF control to keep the nose planted in slick while avoiding push. Balance droop so the car doesn’t skate on cushion transition.

Gear selection

  • Goal: Clean throttle pickup off 2 and 4 without bouncing off the limiter.
  • Tacky: Slightly shorter gear is fine but avoid wheelspin spikes when the track starts to fade.
  • Slick: A touch taller gear can smooth throttle and help rear grip as you feather power on exit.

Balance changes for evolving track

  • If tight center: Free the car with a small increase in stagger, a click of wing back (sprints), or minor bar/shock changes to let the rear rotate.
  • If loose off: Reduce stagger slightly, move wing forward a click (sprints), or add a bit of RR compression/reduce rebound to keep the tire planted.
  • Cushion-specific: You want a car that climbs and sits on the cushion without snapping. Aim for predictable roll rather than maximum free speed.

Tires and pressures

  • Early: Keep pressures stable for heat management; track is forgiving.
  • Slick: Slight pressure tweaks can help bite and stability. Avoid extremes; Cedar Lake’s transitions reward consistency over peak “hot lap” feel.

7) Final Thoughts

Cedar Lake Speedway in iRacing is a classic high-banked 3/8 that evolves rapidly and rewards drivers who can read the surface and switch ends. The middle of 1–2 fades first; the cushion in 3–4 often becomes the lap-time engine late. Fast laps come from:

  • Committing to a lane with purpose
  • Keeping the car straighter than you think on exit
  • Pairing the right ends of the track (e.g., top in 3–4 with bottom/slider in 1–2)
  • Making small, timely setup and wing adjustments

Practice plan

  • Run 10–15-lap stints solely on the bottom in 1–2 to master throttle discipline.
  • Do dedicated cushion sessions in 3–4, focusing on entry height and catching the seam without overdriving.
  • Practice slider/crossover drills with AI: send a clean slider into 1, then plan the cross under from the other lane for the next corner.
  • Log replays and compare laps where you exit 4 clean versus with wheelspin; the difference at the stripe is eye-opening.

Master the cushion in 3–4, stay opportunistic in 1–2, and keep your exits straight. Do those three things, and Cedar Lake will become one of your highest-Irating ovals on dirt.

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