NASCAR Driving Technology

The typical NASCAR fan knows a lot of trivia about the sport. They know the drivers and their respective numbers. They know about the different speedways and the standings in the Monster Energy Cup Series. But how many fans know just how big of a role technology and engineering play in keeping NASCAR run as smoothly as possible?

On the outside, the NASCAR stock cars look like ordinary cars, with advertisements and a number being the biggest differentiation between them and a family sedan. But each part of each car is specifically engineered to function in the most extraordinary way.

Original photo by Kaitlyn Bixby

The frame of the stock car is built to act as a cage to protect the driver. Rolling during a crash is taken into account and the frame of the cage is built to withstand this.

The seat that the NASCAR driver sits in serves a major function. It is designed to bend, thus absorbing kinetic energy from any crash that may occur. The shape of the seat is also designed to support the driver, creating protection specifically around the driver’s ribcage.

The gear that is worn by the drivers is no exception to any of these safety features. The racing suit is flame retardant. In the case of fires from car crashes, the driver will remain relatively protected from any burns.

The Head and Neck Restraint, or the HANS restraint, is a fairly recent safety addition. It keeps the drivers head back against the seat and prevents the neck from breaking. This restraint became more popular to use during races after the tragic and fatal crash of Dale Earnhardt Sr.

When it comes to the surroundings of the race cars, the track is also engineered with safety in mind. The fence around the track helps keep debris from reaching the audience. The road is also built to have a curved bank, allowing drivers to speed up at the corners, thus potentially avoiding fatal crashes.

Original photo by Kaitlyn Bixby

With all of this taken into account, it should come as no surprise that NASCAR is involved with Science Technology Engineering and Math (STEM) education. NASCAR and Scholastic have teamed up to create a program called Acceleration Nation to implement into education programs. This initiative allows students to apply STEM concepts to real world situations, such as the development of stock car and race track technology.

NASCAR can be appreciated for not only its entertainment, but its ingenuity with STEM aspects as well.