How does downforce help a NASCAR race car?
If you really want to learn about downforce in NASCAR racing — and we’re guessing that since you’re reading this article, you do — one logical place to turn would be to NASCAR itself. In fact, NASCAR has collected a rather handy glossary of common racing terms, including one for downforce. It basically states that air pressure moving over a race car’s various surfaces creates “downforce” or increased weight. And while downforce increases tire grip and cornering speeds, there’s a significant tradeoff — greater downforce also increases drag, which reduces straightaway speeds [source: NASCAR.com]. In the past, NASCAR teams were able to run wildly different vehicles. As a matter of fact; each participating manufacturer had its own somewhat unique and recognizable appearance. In recent years, however, NASCAR has attempted to even the playing field by standar
