NASCAR Thunder 2002 for PSOne by JayWag
Last Update: 12/14/01 - v1.4

http://www.gamefaqs.com/features/recognition/7603.html

TABLE OF CONTENTS
I.   Intro
II.  Cars
III. Tracks
IV.  Thunder Cards
     A. Strategy
     B. Card Listing
V.   FAQ
VI.  Differences Between the PSOne & PS2/X-Box Versions
VII. Breakdown: NASCAR Heat (PSOne) vs. NASCAR Thunder 2002 (PSOne)
VIII.Closing

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I.   Intro
Hey!  This is JayWag!  This is my FAQ for NASCAR Thunder 2002 on PSOne.  While
alot of the things are simular to the PS2 version (or will be in the case of
the X-Box version), there are many differences, the main ones being there are
NO bonus cars and NO career mode.  But, even with out them, this is, in my
opinion, the best PSOne NASCAR game to date, edging out my previous favorite of
NASCAR Heat.

If you want to contact my, see my contributor recognition page at
http://www.gamefaqs.com/features/recognition/7603.html to get my latest e-mail
address and web site URL.

UPDATE HISTORY
--------------
v1.0 - 11/05/01
Everything is new!

v1.1 - 11/11/01
Not much of an update.  I added some tracks I unlocked and how to get them.

v1.2 - 11/25/01
I reformated the text a little, and added a section on the differences between
the Playstation and the Playstation 2/X-Box versions, as I was getting e-mails
from people asking why Thunder Cards were missing from their PS2 version, and
why you didn't get any cars for winning championships in the PSOne version.
Also, if you have any questions about this game (mainly for the PS2 version,
but you could ask for either), go to thunder2002.ea.com, click Message Board,
then the Playstation 2.  Ed Martin, a developed of NASCAR Thunder 2002, is
answering any questions you have.  I just thought I'd let you know.

v1.3 - 12/01/01
I added how to unlock three more tracks and added those tracks to the track
listing.  I added that section below the updates called 'What I Hope to Add
Soon'.

v1.4 - 12/14/01
I added the Thunder Card Listing section, with credit going to Prima's Strategy
Guide.

WHAT I HOPE TO ADD SOON
-----------------------
 + Morve Differences Between PSOne & PS2/X-Box Versions.
 + Tracks Setups for Cars
 + More Thunder Card Strategies

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II.  Cars

There aren't many cars that race each week that aren't included compared to
other games.  The only ones I can think of are...
7-Mike Wallace
11-Brett Bodine
14-Ron Hornaday
32-Ricky Craven
44-Buckshot Jones
66-Todd Bodine
71-Dave Marcis
77-Robert Pressley
92-Stacey Compton
93-Dave Blaney
...and I'll be honest, the only ones of those I really miss are the 32, 66,
and, many people think I'm kidding, but good ol' Dave Marcis.

Anyway, these are all the cars in the PSOne version.  In other versions (PS2 &
X-Box), you can unlock fantasy, Busch, and special Cup Schemes, and the X-Box
has a more updated roster, but the PSOne version has none of these.  So,
without further wait...

#   M  DRIVER               SPONSOR
01  D  Jason Leffler        Cingular
02  F  Ryan Newman          Alltel
1   C  Steve Park           Pennzoil
2   F  Rusty Wallace        Team Rusty*
4   C  Kevin LePage         Kodak MAX Film
5   C  Terry Labonte        Kellogg's Corn Flakes
6   F  Mark Martin          Mark Martin*
8   C  Dale Earnhardt, Jr.  Dale Earnhardt, Jr.
9   D  Bill Elliott         Dodge Dealers
10  P  Johnny Benson        Valvoline
12  F  Jeremy Mayfield      Mobil 1
15  C  Michael Waltrip      NAPA Auto Parts
17  F  Matt Kenseth         DeWalt Tools
18  P  Bobby Labonte        Interstate Batteries
19  D  Casey Atwood         Dodge Dealers
20  P  Tony Stewart         Home Depot
21  F  Elliott Sadler       Motorcraft
22  D  Ward Burton          Caterpillar
24  C  Jeff Gordon          DuPont
25  C  Jerry Nadeau         UAW-Delphi
26  F  Jimmy Spencer        KMart
27  P  Kenny Wallace        Eel River Racing
28  F  Ricky Rudd           Texaco/Havoline
29  C  Kevin Harvick        GM Goodwrench Service Plus
30  C  Jeff Green           America OnLine
31  C  Mike Skinner         Lowe's
33  C  Joe Nemechek         Oakwood Homes
36  P  Ken Schrader         M&M's
40  D  Sterling Marlin      Chip Ganassi Racing*
43  D  John Andretti        Cheerios
43  D  Richard Petty        STP
45  D  Kyle Petty           Sprint
55  C  Bobby Hamilton       Square D
88  F  Dale Jarrett         UPS
97  F  Kurt Busch           Sharpie
99  F  Jeff Burton          Citgo SuperGard

* = This driver's sponsor is either of a drug, alcohol product, or tabacco
    product.  EA is not allowed to put this in due to the fact the game's ESRB
    rating is E (Everyone).

(M) Make Key
C = Chevrolet Monte Carlo
D = Dodge Intrepid-R/T
F = Ford Taurus
P = Pontiac Grand Prix

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III. Tracks

For the first time ever, a NASCAR game has every track they visit in
a season!

I still need to unlock all the fantasy tracks.  I know that if you win each
season (Speedway, Short Track, etc.) you get one and also are available through
Thunder Cards.

TRACK          LOCATION          TYPE          DIST.      AVG. SPEED   FANT.?
Atlanta        Hampton,GA        Speedway      1.54 mi    179 mph
Bristol*       Bristol,TN        Short Track   .533 mi    126 mph
California     Fontana,CA        Speedway      2.0 mi     186 mph
ChicagoLand    Joliet,IL         Speedway      1.5 mi     183 mph
Darlington     Darlington,SC     Speedway      1.366 mi   174 mph
Daytona*       Daytona Bch,FL    Speedway      2.5 mi     210 mph
Daytona Bch    Daytona Bch,FL    Road Course   2.15 mi    145 mph      Half**
Dover Downs    Dover,DE          Speedway      1.0 mi     160 mph
Homestead      Miami,FL          Speedway      1.5 mi     156 mph
Indianapolis   Indianapolis,IL   Speedway      2.5 mi     181 mph
Kansas         Kansas City,KS    Speedway      1.5 mi     178 mph
Las Vegas      Las Vegas,NV      Speedway      1.5 mi     192 mph
Lowe's         Charlotte,NC      Speedway      1.5 mi     186 mph
Martinsville   Martinsville,VA   Short Track   .526 mi     95 mph
Michigan       Brooklyn,MI       Speedway      2.0 mi     189 mph
New Hamp.      Loudon,NH         Speedway      1.058 mi   132 mph
N. Carolina    Rockingham,NC     Speedway      1.017 mi   158 mph
Phoenix        Phoenix,AZ        Speedway      1.0 mi     134 mph
Pocono         Pocono,PA         Speedway      2.5 mi     170 mph
Richmond       Richmond,VA       Short Track   .750 mi    126 mph
Sears Point    Sonoma,CA         Road Course   1.949 mi    99 mph
Talladega      Talladega,AL      Speedway      2.66 mi    185 mph
Texas          Fort Worth,TX     Speedway      1.5 mi     192 mph
Watkins Glen   Watkins Glen,NY   Road Course   2.454 mi   121 mph
Boca Chica     Key West,FL       Road Course   1.83 mi    145 mph      Yes
Cocoa Beach    Cocoa Beach,FL    Road Course   3.0 mi     175 mph      Yes
Devil Canyon   D.H.P.,UT         Road Course   3.23 mi    161 mph      Yes
Dustbowl       Great Bend,KS     Road Course   1.396 mi   155 mph      Yes
Mile High      Breckenridge,CO   Road Course   1.534      145 mph      Yes
Southern       New Orleans,LA    Road Course   1.996 mi   156 mph      Yes
Tr. Island     San Fran Bay,CA   Road Course   2.095 mi   152 mph      Yes
4th from Sun   Milkyway,Galaxy   Speedway      2.0 mi     189 mph      Yes

*  = Day & Night Version of Track
** = Daytona Beach is based on the track they raced on before Daytona
     Int'l Speedway was built, but is not exactly like it.

How to Unlock Hidden Tracks
---------------------------

          UNLOCKED WITH THUNDER CARDS
          ---------------------------
           + Dustbowl
           + Hawaii *
           + Mile High
           + New York *
           + Proving Grounds *
           + Southern
           + 4th From The Sun

          UNLOCKED BY WINNING CHAMPIONSHIPS
          ---------------------------------
           + Albuquerque - Full Season Championship **
           + Boca Chica - Road Course Championship
           + Cocoa Beach - Speedway Championship
           + Devil's Canyon - Short Track Championship

          *  = From Prima's Strategy Guide - I Cannot Confirm It Yet
          ** = From Various Sources on the Net - I Cannot Confirm It Yet

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IV.  Thunder Cards

Thunder Cards is a great feature to the game.  There are various cards which
do things like:  unlock tracks, give you better fuel mileage, better tire wear,
faster pit stops, body protection, engine protection, better acceleration,
change the pit road speed limit, a draft bonus, less air resistance, etc.

===============================================================================

IV.A. Thunder Card Strategy

Note:  I'm only posting the challenge's I've completed.  Some of their
descriptions are not accurate, so I'm making sure that they can be done
correctly.

Haven't Gotten:  5 Gets You First, 10 for First, First for Half, Start to
Finish, Thunder Valley Run, Threading The Needle Part 2, East My Dust,
Twenty-One, Rubbin' Pit Road Part 2, Speed Demon Part 2, Speed Demon Part 3,
Speed Demon Part 4, Maximum Drafting, Martinsville Run, Stop N' Go, Skin of
Your Teeth, Threading The Needle Part 3, Threading The Needle Part 4, The Long
Haul Part 1, The Long Haul Part 2, The Long Haul Part 3, The Long Haul Part 4,
2nd Place Spinout

EASY CHALLENGES - 2 CARDS
Threading The Needle Part 1
Track:  New York (Fantasy Road Course)
Driver:  Ward Burton
Objective:  Complete 2 laps at New York without any body damage.
Strategy:  Even though it you may hit something and no damage appears, you 
won't get it.  You start last, so just drop back 20 seconds and cruise around
at a steady, kinda slow speed.

1 Lap Challenge
Track:  Southern (Fantasy Road Course)
Driver:  Dale Earnhardt, Jr.
Objective:  Start in 12th place, & win in 1 lap at Southern.
Strategy:  Bump cars.  Lean into them in the corner.  Think Dale Earnhardt.

MEDIUM CHALLENGES - 4 CARDS
2 Lap Challenge
Track:  Dustbowl (Fantasy Road Course)
Driver:  Bill Elliott
Objective:  Start in 15th place, & win in 2 laps at Dustbowl.
Strategy:  Same as 1 Lap Challenge, but you don't have to be as aggressive or
rough because you have an extra lap.

3 Lap Challenge
Track:  Hawaii (Fantasy Road Course)
Driver:  Jeremy Mayfield
Objective:  Start last, & win in 3 laps at Hawaii.
Strategy:  Same as 1 and 2 Lap Challenge, but once again, you don't have to be
as aggressive.

Top 5
Track:  Martinsville
Driver:  Steve Park
Objective:  Start in 5th place, & finish in 5th place at Martinsville.
Strategy:  You have 10 laps.  Stay in 5th place at all times.  If someone in
front of you crashes and you pass them, let another car by. If someone gets by
you, race up with him to get it back.

Rubbin' Pit Road Part 1
Track:  Michigan
Driver:  Mark Martin
Objective:  Force a car into pit road at Michigan.
Strategy:  Coming off the backstretch, get on the high side of a car.  As you
get closer to the pits, drive down.  You also have to finish the race.

HARD CHALLENGES - 6 CARDS
Speed Demon Part 1
Track:  Dover
Driver:  Matt Kenseth
Objective:  Finish a lap at Dover Downs in 26 seconds & finish the race.
Strategy:  You need faster than 26.244 seconds.  You could either slow and wait
until all the cars around you are gone or use them as an advantage for
drafting.  It doesn't matter where you finish.

===============================================================================

IV.B. Thunder Card Listing (Credit - Prima's Strategy Guide)

CARD NAME           CLASS       TYPE          DESCRIPTION
=========-----------=====-------====----------===========----------------------
Extra Gas           Bronze      Defensive     Player's car recieves 5% more
                                                 fuel in the tank.
Extra Gas           Silver      Defensive     Player's car recieves 10% more
                                                 fuel in the tank.
Extra Gas           Gold        Defensive     Player's car recieves 15% more
                                                 fuel in the tank.
Gaz Guzzler         Bronze      Offensive     Opponent's car consumes fuel 5%
                                                 faster until a pit stop.
Gaz Guzzler         Silver      Offensive     Opponent's car consumes fuel 10%
                                                 faster until a pit stop.
Gaz Guzzler         Gold        Offensive     Opponent's car consumes fuel 15%
                                                 faster until a pit stop.
Faster Pitcrew      Bronze      Defensive     Player's pit crew is 5% faster
                                                 for the next stop.
Faster Pitcrew      Silver      Defensive     Player's pit crew is 10% faster
                                                 for the next stop.
Faster Pitcrew      Gold        Defensive     Player's pit crew is 15% faster
                                                 for the next stop.
Less Tire Wear      Bronze      Defensive     Player's tires withstand 5% more
                                                 wear until next stop.
Less Tire Wear      Silver      Defensive     Player's tires withstand 5% more
                                                 wear until next stop.
Less Tire Wear      Gold        Defensive     Player's tires withstand 5% more
                                                 wear until next stop.
Less Body Damage    Bronze      Defensive     Player's car body withstands 5%
                                                 more damage ultil next pit
                                                 stop.
Less Body Damage    Silver      Defensive     Player's car body withstands 10%
                                                 more damage ultil next pit
                                                 stop.
Less Body Damage    Gold        Defensive     Player's car body withstands 15%
                                                 more damage ultil next pit
                                                 stop.
Engine Protection   Bronze      Defensive     Player's car engine withstands
                                                 5% more damage until next pit
                                                 stop.
Engine Protection   Silver      Defensive     Player's car engine withstands
                                                 10% more damage until next pit
                                                 stop.
Engine Protection   Gold        Defensive     Player's car engine withstands
                                                 15% more damage until next pit
                                                 stop.
Acceleration        Bronze      Speed         Player's car accelerates 5%
                                                 faster for 1 lap.
Acceleration        Silver      Speed         Player's car accelerates 10%
                                                 faster for 1 lap.
Acceleration        Gold        Speed         Player's car accelerates 15%
                                                 faster for 1 lap.
Speed Limit         Bronze      Speed         Opponent's speed is reduced by 20
                                                 mph for 1 lap.
Speed Limit         Silver      Speed         Opponent's speed is reduced by 40
                                                 mph for 1 lap.
Speed Limit         Gold        Speed         Opponent's speed is reduced by 60
                                                 mph for 1 lap.
Air Resistance      Bronze      Speed         Opponent's car recieves 5% more
                                                 air resistance for 1 lap.
Air Resistance      Silver      Speed         Opponent's car recieves 10% more
                                                 air resistance for 1 lap.
Air Resistance      Gold        Speed         Opponent's car recieves 15% more
                                                 air resistance for 1 lap.
Draft Bonus         Bronze      Speed         Player's drafting bonus increases
                                                 by 25% for 1 lap.
Draft Bonus         Silver      Speed         Player's drafting bonus increases
                                                 by 50% for 1 lap.
Draft Bonus         Gold        Speed         Player's drafting bonus increases
                                                 by 100% for 1 lap.
Tire Damage         Bronze      Offensive     Opponent's car ties wear 10%
                                                 faster for 1 lap.
Tire Damage         Silver      Offensive     Opponent's car ties wear 20%
                                                 faster for 1 lap.
Tire Damage         Gold        Offensive     Opponent's car ties wear 30%
                                                 faster for 1 lap.
Lemon Car           Cheat       Offensive     All car attributes are reduced by
                                                 5% for 1 lap.
Autopass            Cheat       Offensive     Gives your car added speed to
                                                 pass the car in front of you.
Engine Stall        Cheat       Offensive     Opponent's engine stalls for 10
                                                 sec.
Bald Tires          Cheat       Offensive     Changes current opponent's tires
                                                 to bald tires.
Speed Demon         Cheat       Speed         Player's speed limit is increased
                                                 by 20 mph.
Lose Control        Cheat       Offensive     Your opponent loses control of
                                                 his car for 5 seconds.
Nitrous             Cheat       Speed         Player's car recieves an
                                                 acceleration increase for 10
                                                 sec.
Wonky Steering      Cheat       Offensive     Opponent's steering is reversed
                                                 for 1 lap.
Brake Lock          Cheat       Offensive     Opponent's car brakes become
                                                 locked for 5 sec.
Texas Twister       Cheat       Offensive     The car spins out of control for
                                                 2 sec.
No Collisions       Cheat       Defensive     Your car will not collide with
                                                 another car for 1 lap.
Invincible          Cheat       Defensive     Player's car can not be damaged
                                                 for 1 lap.
Double Damage       Cheat       Offensive     Player's car inflicts double
                                                 damage toany opponents car for
                                                 1 lap.
Steering Lock       Cheat       Offensive     Your opponen loses steering for 5
                                                 sec.
Fuel Vampire        Cheat       Offensive     Allows the player to steal 25% of
                                                 the opponent's fuel.
Bowling Tight       Cheat       Offensive     Allows the player to bowl down
                                                 cars.
Tight Turns         Cheat       Defensive     The player's car can make tighter
                                                 turns for 1 lap.
No Friction         Cheat       Defensive     Player can make contact without
                                                 losing speed for 1 lap.
Lead Foot           Cheat       Offensive     Opponent's car accelerates for 1
                                                 lap.
Engine Repair       Cheat       Defensive     Player's engine is filly repaired
                                                 without a pit stop.
Tire Repair         Cheat       Defensive     Player's tires are changes
                                                 without a pit stop.
Fill'er Up          Cheat       Defensive     Player's fuel tank is filled up
                                                 without a pit stop.
Body Repair         Cheat       Defensive     Player's car body is fully
                                                 repaired without a pit stop.
Aerodynamic         Cheat       Defensive     Player's car has reduced air
                                                 resistance for 1 lap.
Fast Pitcrew        Cheat       Defensive     Player's pit crew efficiency is
                                                 doubled.
Crash Proof         Cheat       Defensive     Player's car can not be damaged
                                                 for 10 sec.
Race Medic          Cheat       Defensive     Effects of Thunder Cards used
                                                 against you end and returns to
                                                 normal.
Ubervagon           Cheat       Defensive     Player's car abilities are
                                                 increased by 10 percent for 1
                                                 lap.
Puncture Proof      Cheat       Defensive     Player's car tires don't wear for
                                                 1 lap.
Smoke Screen        Cheat       Offensive     Player's car leaves a trail of
                                                 smoke behind to decude view
                                                 for 1 lap.
Gust of Wind        Cheat       Offensive     Gust of wind blows cars off
                                                 course.
Oil Slick           Cheat       Offensive     Leaves an oil slick on the track
                                                 that causes car tires to lose
                                                 grip.
New York            Cheat       Track         Makes NY fantasy track
                                                 available in any mode.
Mile High           Cheat       Track         Makes MH fantasy track
                                                 available in any mode.
Hawaii              Cheat       Track         Makes Hawaii fantasy track
                                                 available in any mode.
Southern            Cheat       Track         Makes Southern fantasy track
                                                 available in any mode.
4th from the Sun    Cheat       Track         Makes 4th from the Sun fantasy
                                                 track available in any mode.
Dustbowl            Cheat       Track         Makes Dustbowl fantasy track
                                                 available in any mode.
Proving Grounds     Cheat       Track         Makes XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX fantasy
                                                 track available in any mode.

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V.   FAQ

Q.   Is Dale Earnhardt in this game?
A.   He is not in any version of this game at the request of Dale Earnhardt
     Inc., Richard Childress Racing, and Teresa Earnhardt.

Q.   I saw the #20 Jurassic Park car in the intro movie!  How do I get it?
A.   That intro movie is used in all versions of the game.  There are no extra
     cars in the PSOne version.  I believe the #98 Busch car is in the intro
     movie, too, but it, too, is missing from the game.

Q.   I heard that you could race all 43 cars?  Why are there only 18?
A.   Once again, that is in the other versions of the game.  You obviously
     can't race 43 cars since only 36 of them are in the game.

Q.   Why isn't Mark Martin's (and other driver's) sponsor in the game?
A.   The game's ESRB rating is E for Everyone.  For Mark Martin, his real
     life sponsor, Viagra, could not be put in the game unless it was
     guarenteed the FDA logo would be seen whenever Viagra was seen.  EA could
     now make this happen.  For Dale Earnhardt Jr, Rusty Wallace, and Sterling
     Marlin, their sponsors are alcholic beverages (Budweiser, Miller, and
     Coors, respectively), which are not allowed in video games.

If you have a question, go to my contributor recognition page (link at top of
FAQ) and e-mail it to me.  If I get the same question asked repeatedly, I'll
put it in this guide.

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VI.  Differences Between the PSOne & PS2/X-Box Versions

Cars
----
PSOne:  There are no hidden cars.
PS2/X-Box:  There many hidden cars.  There are some Busch cars, some special
            paint schemes for Winston Cup cars, there is the NBC/TNT cars, and
            some other fictional ones.

Tracks
------
PSOne:      There are hidden tracks earned by getting Thunder Cards and winning
            championships on the different season types.
PS2/X-Box:  There are no hidden tracks.

Thunder Cards
-------------
PSOne:      There is a Thunder Card mode which you can do different challenges
            to earn Thunder Cards, which help you in races.
PS2/X-Box:  There is no Thunder Card mode.

Career Mode
-----------
PSOne:      There is no career mode.
PS2/X-Box:  There is a career mode where you must earn sponsors and stuff.

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VII. Breakdown: NASCAR Heat (PSOne) vs. NASCAR Thunder 2002 (PSOne)

I have both NASCAR Heat and NASCAR Thunder 2002 for PSOne, and have been asked
several times which one is better, so I decided to add this section to the FAQ.

Years
-----
Heat:  Based on the 2000 season.
2002:  Based on the 2001 season.

Tracks
------
Heat:  All of the tracks except Indy and Pocono from the 2000 season.
2002:  All of the tracks from the 2001 season, including some fantasy tracks.

Cars
----
Heat:  26 Cars (Missing Many, including Bill Elliott)
2002:  36 Cars (Only Missing About 10 Regulars)

# of Cars at One Time on Track
------------------------------
Heat:  14
2002:  18

Challenges
----------
Heat:  Called 'Beat The Heat'...realistic challenges you may face in real life.
2002:  Called 'Thunder Cards'...most of these things won't happen in real life,
       like having to force cars into pit road, drafting a car at a whole lap
       at a track where drafting isn't usually needed, etc.  But this mode is
       saved by the fact you get Thunder Cards, which can be used in other
       races.

Pro Laps
--------
Heat:  Called 'Race The Pro'...drivers recorded laps and you try to beat them.
2002:  No mode like this.

Controls
--------
The two games are almost identical.  The only difference is in NASCAR Heat,
the brake and reverse buttons are the same.  Once you stop going forward after
using the brakes, if you still hold it in, you go backward.  This is a bit
annoying when you have to stop if you are spinning or something.  Also, if you
are going backwards, the accelerator is the brake until you stop going
backwards, and then you'll go forwards.  Once again, it's a bit annoying, but
you can deal with it.

OVERALL RESULTS
---------------
I'd go with NASCAR Thunder 2002.  While NASCAR Heat is a bit more realistic,
NASCAR Thunder 2002 has more to offer.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

VIII.Closing

Places That My Host This FAQ...
GameFAQ's
PlanetCommunity
My Personal Web Site

If you want permission, e-mail me.  My e-mail address is found on my
contributor recognition page, which is linked at the top of the FAQ.

Credit goes to Prima's NASCAR Thunder 2002 Strategy Guide for the Thunder Card
Listing.

JayWag, Inc. - 2001