While using the bus in the dare levels during a race, just push the other cars to build up hit points

When you complete 20% of the career mode (80% remaining), make sure to have one fast car for racing rounds and a cheap "D" - demolition car for demolition rounds. Modify your demolition car with a reinforcement upgrade only. For your fast car, do all upgrades. This saves money and constant churning of cars.

Drive around avoiding cars until there are less than four cars remaining.

When in career mode, go to an out-of-town event and enter it. Make sure that you use a fast car and that it has the big "D". After the loading screen, speed off and get ready to press X when the screen appears to race the other car or not. if you pressed it fast enough, your car will be going fast with a 7 to 23 mph head start.

Stay to the inside of the track to avoid the oncoming onslaught of cars.

Drive past the turnaround point until it says 'Get back on track'. Press Select to put yourself in the opposite direction (it is faster). Tapping R2 (emergency brake) and going to the inside all the way to the grass is the easiest way to win a Turnaround race. Going in the grass on the inside line to helps you avoid oncoming traffic