Not what you normally expect at a physics conference. But now I’ve got your attention, we can talk NASCAR physics.

Diandra Leslie-Pelecky, a University of Nebraska physicist and NASCAR fan, gave a public lecture at the APS on Monday night, and did a good job mixing science and speed.

Why NASCAR? Well, as she puts it: “in what other sports do engineers have their own weekly TV shows?”

Leslie-Pelecky got interested in the science behind NASCAR when she saw replays of a high-speed car crash that appeared to have no cause – no collision, no engine failure, no tire blowout. In figuring out how NASCAR drivers maintain 190 mph speeds around 31-degree banked tracks she spent time ‘embedded’ with a racing team. Her behind-the-scenes investigation revealed that the best drivers know a lot of physics and that a crash can happen simply because of aerodynamics (bad turbulence or drafting) when the cars get close enough.

She also explained the science behind NASCAR’s “car of tomorrow”, which has been 7 years in development and making its debut this season. To prevent teams building a different car for every track NASCAR decided to develop one design for everyone to use. But the car of tomorrow does have two aerodynamic features that the teams can tweak – a rear wing and a front splitter. Developed using computational fluid dynamics the car’s aerodynamic features are designed to improve driver safety and to make it easier for the cars to pass each other, so making the race more exciting.

Not convinced? You can join the 35 million NASCAR fans who watch the races on TV and judge for yourselves.

Not what you normally expect at a physics conference. But now I’ve got your attention, we can talk NASCAR physics.

Diandra Leslie-Pelecky, a University of Nebraska physicist and NASCAR fan, gave a public lecture at the APS on Monday night, and did a good job mixing science and speed.

Why NASCAR? Well, as she puts it: “in what other sports do engineers have their own weekly TV shows?”

Leslie-Pelecky got interested in the science behind NASCAR when she saw replays of a high-speed car crash that appeared to have no cause – no collision, no engine failure, no tire blowout. In figuring out how NASCAR drivers maintain 190 mph speeds around 31-degree banked tracks she spent time ‘embedded’ with a racing team. Her behind-the-scenes investigation revealed that the best drivers know a lot of physics and that a crash can happen simply because of aerodynamics (bad turbulence or drafting) when the cars get close enough.

She also explained the science behind NASCAR’s “car of tomorrow”, which has been 7 years in development and making its debut this season. To prevent teams building a different car for every track NASCAR decided to develop one design for everyone to use. But the car of tomorrow does have two aerodynamic features that the teams can tweak – a rear wing and a front splitter. Developed using computational fluid dynamics the car’s aerodynamic features are designed to improve driver safety and to make it easier for the cars to pass each other, so making the race more exciting.

Not convinced? You can join the 35 million NASCAR fans who watch the races on TV and judge for yourselves.