Where Ferrari is “RACE,” for short - NYT Crossword Clue

Introduction

This clue is a great example of how the NYT Crossword can blend general knowledge with a bit of specialized terminology, all wrapped up in some clever misdirection. The key to solving this puzzle lies in recognizing that the word "RACE" is not being used in its typical sense, a fact cleverly signaled by the quotation marks.

Clue Analysis

The clue, "Where Ferrari is “RACE,” for short," can be broken down into a few key components:

• "Where...": This indicates the answer will be a place or an institution.
• "Ferrari": This is the well-known Italian luxury sports car manufacturer.
• "is 'RACE,'": The quotation marks are the most important part of the clue. They tell us that "RACE" is not the verb or noun related to speed, but rather a specific label or symbol associated with Ferrari.
• "for short": This signals that the answer is likely an abbreviation or acronym.

Putting it all together, we're looking for the abbreviated name of a place where the company Ferrari is identified by the symbol "RACE". In the world of finance, companies traded on a stock exchange are given a unique identifier called a ticker symbol. Ferrari's ticker symbol is, in fact, RACE.

Thinking Approaches

A solver's first step should be to question the quoted word, "RACE." Why is it in quotes? This should trigger the thought that it's a name, a title, or a symbol. Connecting a famous company like Ferrari with a four-letter symbol should lead you to the world of finance and stock markets.

Once you hypothesize that "RACE" is a ticker symbol, the question becomes, "Where is it traded?" Ferrari N.V. is listed on a major American stock exchange. The clue asks for the location's name "for short," pointing directly to the common four-letter abbreviation for this famous institution on Wall Street.

If you were stuck, you could also work from the crossings. If you had, for example, N_S_, you might think of institutions or places with that pattern, and the financial context would quickly bring the answer into focus.

Background Context

Ferrari N.V. held its initial public offering (IPO) in 2015 and began trading on the New York Stock Exchange. When a company is listed, it is assigned a unique ticker symbol for trading purposes. Ferrari cleverly chose RACE as its symbol, a nod to its legendary motorsport heritage. The New York Stock Exchange, or NYSE, is the world's largest stock exchange by market capitalization of its listed companies.

Conclusion

This clue cleverly combines corporate branding with financial market terminology. By correctly interpreting the quotation marks around "RACE" as a signal for a ticker symbol, the solver can deduce that the "Where" refers to a stock exchange. The phrase "for short" then leads directly to the well-known abbreviation NYSE.

Hints

1. Hint 1: The clue refers to a place where companies are publicly traded.
2. Hint 2: The word “RACE” in quotes is a company's unique identifier in this place.
3. Hint 3: This place is a major American financial institution located on Wall Street.
4. Hint 4: The answer is the four-letter abbreviation for the world's largest stock exchange by market capitalization.