The Physics of NASCAR: How to Make Steel + Gas + Rubber = Speed Summary and Reviews

The Physics of NASCAR: How to Make Steel + Gas + Rubber = Speed
by Diandra Leslie-Pelecky

The Physics of NASCAR: How to Make Steel + Gas + Rubber = Speed
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Book Summary Information

Author: Diandra Leslie-Pelecky
Edition: Hardcover
Audio: English (Original Language); English (Unknown); English (Published)
Published: 2008-02-14
ISBN: 0525950532
Number of pages: 286
Publisher: Dutton Adult

Book Reviews of The Physics of NASCAR: How to Make Steel + Gas + Rubber = Speed

Book Review: Science, Teamwork, and Agony of Tweaking to Run Faster and Safer
Summary: 5 Stars

If you love NASCAR, this book will increase your love.

If you don't think NASCAR is interesting, this book will change your mind. There's lot more going on than just turning left and keeping the pedal to the metal.

Each NASCAR track presents different challenges to drivers, team leaders, car designers, mechanics, and pit crews. At the same time, NASCAR is trying to keep the cost of racing down, to reduce accidents and deaths, and to make the sport fairer for all. Professor Leslie-Pelecky goes behind the scenes to explain the technical challenges, and shares anecdotes and vignettes of what racing is like for the technical teams and drivers.

Fans are naturally frustrated if a favorite driver seems to have a slug rather than a race car some weeks. If the weather is changeable, it's hard to avoid a slug. Why? The cars are optimized to so many factors that a switch in the weather makes the car work much less well. Although the mechanics can make lots of last minute changes, there's still a lot guess work involved.

While many books about the physics of something can be pretty dry, The Physics of NASCAR doesn't have that problem. The scientific explanations are short and simple. The human stories about what the science means are rich and long.

I came away very impressed with the brain power that goes into NASCAR winning. My interest was greatly increased by learning more about the non-driving side.

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