maxx and savage both enter a corner at 20MPH (making up numbers here)

savage holds the line and exits at 15mph, maxx has to slow down more and exits at 10mph

now the savage was able to hold more speed in the corner and pulls ahead by the exit AND has a speed advantage. now the maxx starts at a 5MPH disadvantage and once he gets to the same speed as the savage has to make up the distance he lost in the turn.

you need a WHOLE lot more acceleration to catch up and on a tight track you dont have the time because you are in a new turn and it starts all over. on a large open track there is more time for the maxx to make up the time and to pull ahead then its the savage playing catch up.

so yes, it does matter.