The Physics of Nascar

Even though NASCAR started as a backwoods illegalbe banked in order to increase the friction (part of
race to run moonshine, it has today evolved into athe centripetal force) to hold the car.
sport that is not only entertaining but depends onAnother component of physics of NASCAR that
physics too. The obvious element in the physics ofserves to keep the vehicle with all four wheels on
NASCAR is the aerodynamic design required by thesethe track during the race is center of gravity. Center
cars in order to achieve top speeds of near 200 mphof gravity is basically the point where you could
with the minimum drag coefficient. But there arebalance the car on the top of a flag pole
other forces involved too such as Newton's Law of(theoretically). Racing vehicles need low centers of
Motion and centripetal force.gravity in order to keep the weight close to the
Newton's Law of Motion states that a body willtrack. If a vehicle has a high center of gravity then it
remain in motion unless it is acted upon by somecan lose control when it hits a turn much faster.
external force. In outer space for example, in theThink of an ambulance with a high profile patient
absence of gravity, an object will go on forever. Soarea. If the ambulance took a turn too fast, it would
there are forces that resist the movement of atopple over. But if its profile was not too high, it
NASCAR vehicle such as wind drag and anothercould take the turn faster because the center of
known as centripetal force.gravity is lower.
Centripetal force should not be confused withAn ambulance needs the high profile in order to get
centrifugal force. However without getting toopatients in and treat them but the physics of
technical, you can think of centripetal force as a realNASCAR dictate the low center of gravity in order
force acting perpendicular to the motion of theto apply more centripetal force and keep it attached
moving body. Centrifugal force on the other hand isto the track on a turn.
actually a fictitious force and what we feel as we areThen there is the machining of engine components in
thrown outward from a moving vehicle is thethe physics of NASCAR that are important for
reaction force.building horsepower with the minimum of friction. You
Centripetal force in the physics of NASCAR is crucialwant friction when it comes to centripetal force but
to keeping a car on the track. The tires of theyou don't want it inside of an engine. This is why
vehicle provide the friction which is part of theinternal engine parts are machined to within very
centripetal force. The centripetal force needed toaccurate tolerances-much more accurately than
keep the car on the track cannot exceed the squareautomobiles for family and everyday use. Why? It is
of the speed of the car. To put it in simple terms, ifbecause you want to minimize friction inside the
the car takes a turn too fast, the wheels leave theengine. When engines torque at these speeds, friction
ground and an accident occurs. The physics ofis a very dangerous enemy.
NASCAR dictates that turns on the racetrack must