Graphs and Charts
Was Phoenix a ‘Bad Race’?
A lot was written last week about the Phoenix race being a ‘bad race’ — but was it? In comparison to what? The typical race at Phoenix? Our memories of races at Phoenix? Our expectations? […]
Tracks
Cooling
Does Qualifying Matter at Talladega?
50% of races won at Talladega are won by drivers starting from the first two rows. Can you win if you don’t qualify well? […]
Road Courses
Which NASCAR Tracks Are Most Accident Prone?
With Bristol this weekend, thoughts turn naturally to carnage. Short track racing means accidents. Given the greater-than-usual level of aggression among drivers this year, we can expect there to be at least a few collisions.
But does short-track mayhem hold a candle to Daytona and Talladega? Let’s see. […]
Aerodynamic Forces
Will You Be Able to Tell if NASCAR Cars are Slower in 2019?
When is the answer to better racing slower cars? It just might be for NASCAR. Note: This post analyzes the change in speed due to the new rules package. Please don’t interpret it as my […]
Aerodynamics
The 2019 Rules Package: The Tapered Spacer
NASCAR announced the 2019 rules package last week. Reactions from fans ranged from wait-and-see to despair to a surprising amount of anger. […]
Charlotte Roval
The Roval is Just a Really Fast Road Course
This weekend marks the very first time NASCAR has run a race on the Charlotte Roval: a combination of the oval track we run in May with select portions of the road course in the infield. It’s a unique situation because, unlike most road courses, this one is contained. Fans will be able to see the entire course. Everyone is looking forward to seeing something new on this one-of-a-kind hybrid track. […]
Aerodynamics
Sciencing Out NASCAR Rules Changes
Rules changes in NASCAR are tricky. There’s really no way to test them before implementing them. You’re relying on the judgement and experience of the NASCAR team, with input from race teams, drivers, Goodyear and […]
Road Courses
Do Road Courses (Like Superspeedways) Level the Playing Field?
Are road courses, like superspeedways, where drivers with little chance of winning the championship can ‘luck’ into a playoff berth? […]
Chicagoland Speedway
How NASCAR’s “Enhanced Schedule” Affects the Race Teams
NASCAR’s enhanced schedule compresses three days on on-track activity into two. It’s designed to save teams time and money, but how will it affect the racing? What is an “Enhanced Schedule”? If you’re wondering why […]
Asphalt
How to Make Grippier Racetracks Using Spy Technology
If PJ1 TrackBite isn’t the Solution, What is? Dale Earnhardt, Jr. suggested tracks stop using PJ1 Trackbite because it didn’t work well in Charlotte last weekend. He called for additional research to understand how the […]