pace car
The car that leads competitors around the course before the race begins.

pace lap
The lap before the official start, on which cars travel in formation, usually behind the pace car, so that they’ll be near top speed when they reach the starting line.

pacer
A driver who travels at pretty much the same speed throughout the race, conserving his car in the hope that those traveling faster will be foreced to drop out with mechanical problems.

parade lap
A lap taken by cars at slow speed, before the pace lap, to show the spectators the cars.

pit
The area beside the track designated for fueling and servicing cars during the race.

pit crew
Each team has a number of personnel that work in specific areas of team operations, from accountants to engineers. One elite group of team members travels to each event and serve as the pit crew, servicing the car during pit stops for fuel and tires and managing the race from the pits, including race strategy and communications.

pole position
The best position in the starting grid, usually awarded to the driver who has the fastest qualifiying time. In oval-track racing, it’s the spot on the left of the front row. On a road course where the first turn is to the right, it’s on the right side of the front row.

pushing
The car does not want to turn in the corners due to a lack of tire grip. This can be caused by a lack of downforce on the front of the car, or too much downforce on the rear of the car. Also referred to as understeering or tight.