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The Physics of NASCAR: How to Make Steel + Gas + Rubber = Speed | 
 enlarge | Author: Diandra Leslie-pelecky
Publisher: Dutton Adult
Category: Book
List Price: $25.95
Buy New: $14.28
You Save: $11.67 (45%)
New (29) Used (16) from $13.81
Avg. Customer Rating:  24 reviews
Sales Rank: 53737
Media: Hardcover
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 286
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1.2
Dimensions (in): 8.9 x 6.1 x 1.8
ISBN: 0525950532
Dewey Decimal Number: 796.720153
EAN: 9780525950530
ASIN: 0525950532
Publication Date: February 14, 2008
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Shipping: Expedited shipping available
Condition: SATISFACTION GUARANTEED! NEW Book! May have remainder mark. Most orders ship within 1 BUSINESS DAY with ORDER CONFIRMATION.
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Product Description
Every NASCAR fan at one time or another asks the same question: Why isnt my favorite driver winning? This is your chance to discover how much more there is to NASCAR than Go fast, turn left and dont crash. If youve ever wondered why racecars dont have mufflers, how bump drafting works, or what in the world Lets go up a pound on the right rear and add half a round of wedge means, The Physics of NASCAR is for you.
In this fast-paced investigation into the adrenaline-pumping world of NASCAR, a physicist with a passion uncovers what happens when the rubber hits the road and 800- horsepower vehicles compete at 190 miles per hour only inches from one another.
Diandra Leslie-Pelecky reveals how and why drivers trust the engineering and science their teams literally build around them not only to get them across the finish line in first place, but also to keep them alive. Professor Leslie-Pelecky is a physicist in love with the sports beauty and power and is uniquely qualified to explain exactly how physics translates into winning races.
Based on the authors extensive access to race shops, pit crews, crew chiefs and mechanics, this book traces the life cycle of a race car from behind the scenes at top race shops to the track. The Physics of NASCAR takes readers right into the ultra competitive world of NASCAR, from the champion drivers hot seat behind the detachable steering wheel to the New Zealander nicknamed Kiwi in charge of shocks for the No. 19 car.
Diandra Leslie-Pelecky tells her story in terms anyone who drives a car--and maybe occasionally looks under the hood--can understand. How do drivers walk away from serious crashes? How can two cars travel faster together than either car can on its own? How do you dress for a 1800F gasoline fire? In simple yet detailed, high-octane prose, this is the ultimate thrill ride for armchair speed demons, auto science buffs, and NASCAR fans at every level of interest.
Readers, start your engines.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 19 more reviews...
 The best book I've ever read on Physics in regards to racing. August 4, 2008
The author take us on a field trip with a NASCAR race team; including her own "test drive" on a track at high speed. Into the labs, pits and minds of the crews who help bring the exciting sport of NASCAR Racing alive. Designing the intricate cage that the driver sits in. The physics of motion, heat, liquids, air, molecules. Interviews and on-site observations with the "engineers" working on different parts of the engine and chassis.
I loved the way in which the author explained in scientific, yet laymans terms, the workings of a car during a race. Valves, fuel, exhaust, shocks, ventilation, even the importance of the paint job and the "wrapping" of decals on the body and how they affect the aerodynamics of the car in motion. These "Good Old Boys" are as smart as they are witty.
You'll learn the effects of banking angles or degrees on different tracks. How the smallest adjustments to tires, shocks, control arms helps or hinders cornering performance at high speed.
The safety factors for the drivers that have progressed through the years; suits, helmets, Nomex gloves, body restraints, ventilation, etc. A myriad of subjects within subjects. Top notch information for any NASCAR or Physics fan. This is one class that won't bore you or put you to sleep.
 Great for the new or casual NASCAR fan August 1, 2008
Great for the fan of NASCAR looking to make more sense of all the mechanics involved. Figuring out how chassis looks, and how the car of today is different from the old car, what makes the engines on NASCAR cars different than a normal car.....
I picked up the book on a saturday night right after the nationwide series, and almost finished it before the sprint cup race on sunday. Perfect timing too, cause then i could understand how the center of gravity shifts the weight in the car of today putting more weight on the front right tires, making the Brickyard 400 more of a heat race than a 400 mile race.
The only thing this book could use more of are pictures and diagrams to support the discussions on engine parts, shocks, spring positions, wedge, swaybar, and a few other spots. That would only make this book more helpful than it already is(in case she plans on updating a physics of nascar vol.2 edition)
Great book! Thanks Dr. Leslie-Pelecky for putting together a "NASCAR engineering for dummies" book!
 Misleading title July 31, 2008
0 out of 1 found this review helpful
The five star reviews stunned me... I did expect a lot of science (specially in Physics) but no way,
a lot of inside NASCAR reporting yes and that is 5 star... but science!!! don't make me laugh.
My expectations wasn't of that level as "race car vehicle dynamics" from Milliken but this bad.. I am sorry.
In one sentence she start about wheel alignment Toe in, Camber , Caster.... but then she don't tell you why
and jump on the next subject.... how the faces look of the crew members in a bad situation.
Fun to read as you looking for a inside look, but there is no news on Physics, Technique, or Science in this book.
Not worth the money or the read as you already in racing.
br, Arnoud.
An Excellent Introduction July 19, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
In her book, "The Physics of NASCAR", author Diandra Leslie-Pelecky takes the reader inside the sometimes ignored world of engineers and gearheads to get a glimpse of the science that is used to make a car travel at speed of nearly 200 mph while still being consistently drivable. Pelecky follows the story into the garages and mobile offices (haulers) of several NASCAR teams to get an up-close understanding of the issues that car fabricators, engine builders, crews and drivers face in their quest to capture the checkered flag at the end of a long week of work.
The book is very much written at an introductory level with no prior knowledge of physics, chemistry or auto-racing assumed. With chapters on nearly everything of any importance related to going fast and doing it safely, Pelecky does an excellent job of balancing the technical side of the topic with stories and descriptions of the real human beings that make it all happen. Nowhere will the reader feel like they have gotten lost in an avalanche of technical jargon and yet most readers will feel as if they have a much deeper understanding of what it takes to run fast.
The only contention I might have is that I would have liked to have seen a bit more information on the specific effects of aerodynamic changes and a discussion of the engineering of tires to provide more grip. These however are minor points that are likely more based on personal preference than any real defect int he book.
I would recommend this book to anyone who is interested in NASCAR or auto racing in general and who finds the network spots on the car leaving them wishing for more. You'll find most of that more here in a way that is easily accessible to nearly anyone.
The Trek to the Track June 28, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
For less than a price of a hat feature the sponsor's logo of your favorite driver or most new die-casts, you can get an easy-to-understand explanation of what makes the NASCAR hot-rod get around the track every Sunday afternoon.
Through the use of diagrams and text, author Diandra Leslie-Pelecky, a physicist at the University of Texas - Dallas, delves into the chemistry, physics and - yes - the human element in the quest to develop the perfect ride.
Doing everything but throwing a helmet down on the ground in the initial chapters, Leslie-Pelecky discusses the chassis, diagrams how welding works, and some nuances in the game, like how the white paint on a car appears white to our eyes. But getting the car onto the track is where the book picks up speed. She reports on the kinetics of racing through engines, brakes, tires, drag and lift.
Leslie-Pelecky gets a reader as close to the real action of the sport and the NASCAR fan will not view that favorite die-cast in the same way ever again.
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