Racing by the Rules of Physics: The Science Behind NASCAR at COTA
· Yahoo Sports
Austin, TX (FOX 44) – NASCAR may look like cars simply speeding around the track and carving through corners at Circuit of the Americas, but it’s actually a high-speed demonstration of physics in action.
From aerodynamics and drafting to friction and from tire grip to g-force in the turns, every lap is governed by scientific principles.
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For first-time NASCAR attendees and lifelong fans alike, the experience can be incredible. Andrew Christaensen says it was definitely loud.
“Seeing the pit crews, it’s just incredible,” NASCAR fan Cathrin Christaensen expressed. “You don’t have an appreciation for how much goes into these races until you actually see it live.”
Drivers and teams rely on an understanding of airflow, downforce, and momentum to maximize speed while maintaining control, proving success on the track is as much about physics as it is about skill.
“Courses are always more physically demanding just because you’re shifting, you’re hustling left and right, your heart rate’s higher, you’re pressing the brake as hard as you can in those brake zones,” NASCAR Driver Michael McDowell explained. “So it always elevates a little bit. But I thought it was actually not bad out there. I saw a couple of guys look like they were hurting, but my car was nice and cool, which wasn’t bad.”
Brake zones are where drivers decelerate before turns, using friction to convert kinetic energy into heat while tires grip the track to maintain control.
“I felt like we were okay in the brake zones,” McDowell expressed. “I didn’t feel like we were losing much there. Just felt like we needed to get on to the straightaway a little bit better to be able to set up those passes.”
G-forces press drivers into their seats during acceleration, braking, and turns, impacting both the body and car handling.
“As the tires fall off, you start changing your shift points, but it’s what you use to kind of balance the car and control the power,” McDowell said. “Something different than we do. An oval also adds an element that’s fun and challenging.”
Friction between the tires and the track provides the grip needed to take turns at high speed, but too much speed can overwhelm that grip and cause a loss of control.
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