The physics that apply to the 3500-lbs stockcar traveling at 200 miles per hour are tremendously complex. The shape of a NASCAR race machine must comply with the rules set in place and that dictates the overall performance of the car.
However, minor aero tweaks are allowed, but they require a lot of work in CDF - Computational fluid dynamics - and in wind tunnel testing to generate significant results out on the race track
Doug Scott, crew chief of the No 99 Nationwide series NAPA Toyota Camry of Michael Waltrip Racing explains the aerodynamic forces applied to a NASCAR race car.
Click on the above link to see the video.
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| CFD work showing old Sprint car and COT side by side. |
photo:Phlippe Champoux - Auto123.com