NASCAR Thunder 2002 for PSOne by JayWag
Last Update: 11/25/01 - v1.2

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

TABLE OF CONTENTS
I.   Intro
II.  Cars
III. Tracks
IV.  Thunder Card Strategy
V.   FAQ
VI.  Differences Between the PSOne & PS2/X-Box Versions
VII. Closing

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

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.

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

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

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

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
Devil Canyon D.H.P.,UT       Road Course 3.23 mi    161 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
---------------------------
Boca Chica:  Finish first in the Road Course Season points.
Devil's Canyon:  Finish first in the Short Track Season points.
Southern:  Get the Thunder Card for it.
Treasure Island:  Unknown.
4th From The Sun:  Get the Thunder Card for it.

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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

VII. 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.

JayWag, Inc. - 2001