Legend Cars are fast, responsive, and unforgiving when they’re not set up right—especially on oval tracks. With high power-to-weight ratios and solid rear axles, small changes in setup can create big changes in performance.
Whether you're racing at Stateline Speedway, or any INEX-sanctioned oval, here’s your go-to guide for getting your Legend Car dialed in for short track success.
1. Tire Pressure & Stagger
Tire management is everything in Legend Cars. It controls grip, rotation, and how the chassis loads in the corners.
Cold Tire Pressure Baseline:
LF (Left Front): 10–12 PSI
RF (Right Front): 12–14 PSI
LR (Left Rear): 13–15 PSI
RR (Right Rear): 15–17 PSI
Rear Stagger:
This is one of the most important tuning tools for ovals.
Typical Stagger Range: 1.25" to 2.25"
More stagger helps free the car up and improve rotation through the center
Less stagger tightens the car, better for slick or fast tracks
👉 Measure stagger with a stagger tape, not by eye—consistency matters.
2. Weight Distribution & Crossweight
The weight percentages in a Legend Car directly affect its corner entry, mid-turn rotation, and exit drive. Small changes in lead placement, fuel level, or seat position can make a big difference.
Target Weight Percentages (with driver):
| Split | Ideal % |
|---|---|
| Front / Rear | 48–49% / 51–52% |
| Left / Right | 52–54% / 46–48% |
| Crossweight (LR + RF) | 53–55% |
Higher cross = tight off (won’t rotate out of corner)
Lower cross = looser off (oversteer on exit)
Too much rear % = easy to spin under throttle
Too little rear % = poor forward bite
💡 Always scale the car with the driver in full gear and the correct tire pressures.
3. Ride Height & Frame Clearance
INEX mandates specific frame clearance—you must maintain 3” minimum—but within that, you have room to tune.
Lower rear ride height = more grip and stability
Higher rear = more weight transfer, better rotation mid-corner
Balanced front ride height ensures consistent handling left-to-right
Adjust via rear spring shims or by rotating the rear trailing arm brackets. Don’t forget to recheck your wheelbase after making height changes.
4. Caster, Camber & Toe
Camber:
LF Camber: 0° to -1°
RF Camber: -3.5° to -5.5°
More camber = better cornering grip
Too much = inside edge tire wear, poor braking
Caster:
LF Caster: 2°–4°
RF Caster: 6°–8°
More caster split = helps car turn left, improves stability at speed
Toe:
Run 1/8" to 1/4" toe-out total in front
Helps the car turn in, but too much can make it twitchy and increase tire scrub
5. Seat Position & Driver Fit
Your seat position affects weight distribution, driver confidence, and overall performance. If you're struggling with handling or scale percentages, adjusting the seat might be the fastest fix.
Leftward shift increases left-side %
Rearward shift increases rear %, helps with drive off
Keep the seat height as low as comfortably possible to improve center of gravity
Measure seat position from the rear axle centerline to the back of the seat and from the left frame rail to the left edge.
6. Gearing for Oval Tracks
Gearing is track-specific and depends on your tire rollout, track length, and engine tuning.
Baseline Range: 3.70 to 4.10
Short tracks (like Stateline): typically 3.90–4.10
Larger ovals or high-grip tracks: 3.70–3.90
Need help with gear selection for a specific track? Reach out to us—we have decades of notes across multiple ovals.
7. Shock & Spring Setup (if applicable)
For sealed suspension setups, shocks are usually fixed. But if adjustable, you can fine-tune:
Softer RF spring = more front grip, better rotation
Stiffer LR spring = tighter car, better drive off
Use shims to balance preload, especially on the LR
8. Driver Input: The Human Setup Tool
Even the best setup won’t help a driver who’s inconsistent on the pedals.
✅ Smooth throttle application off the corner = better grip
✅ Controlled brake pressure = more stable entry
✅ Use the whole track—tight entries create tight exits
Encourage your driver to give detailed feedback:
“Loose in” = try more rear stagger or lower crossweight
“Tight off” = lower cross, soften LR, or move ballast rearward
“Snappy mid-corner” = reduce stagger or adjust air pressures
9. Keep a Setup Log
Winning teams don’t guess. They take notes.
What to record:
Track name & layout
Tire pressures (cold & hot)
Stagger & rollout
Weight percentages
Gear ratio
Lap times & driver notes
Weather & track temp
💡 Keep one binder per car and review before every race weekend.
Final Thoughts
Oval racing in a Legend Car is an art—and mastering setup is how you win consistently. The right balance of tire pressures, stagger, weight placement, and driver comfort can turn an average night into a podium finish.
At Impel Motorsports, we stock everything you need:
✅ Legend tires
✅ Gears & hubs
✅ Replacement parts
✅ Fluids, safety gear & more
📞 Call or text: 208‑262‑9629
📧 Email: info@impelmotorsports.com
🛒 Order online: impelmotorsports.com
Want us to review your current setup and give you a second opinion? Shoot us a message—we’re happy to help.