NASCAR analysis

Aerodynamics · 3 min read

Why aerodynamics decide oval racing

On a fast oval the air is the main obstacle, and every overtake is a negotiation with the hole the car in front punches through it.

Strategy · 3 min read

What a pit stop really costs

A stop is not measured in seconds stationary. It is measured against what the alternative would have produced over the following laps.

Driving · 3 min read

How tyre management separates drivers

Almost everyone in a professional field can produce one fast lap. The gap opens over thirty of them.

Circuits · 3 min read

Why short tracks and superspeedways are different sports

The same cars and the same drivers produce two almost unrelated competitions depending on the length of the circuit.

Formats · 3 min read

Why the playoff format divides the sport

An elimination playoff guarantees a close finish. It also guarantees that the year's best driver can lose the title.

Engineering · 3 min read

How a tight rule book changes what teams compete on

When every car is close to identical, the advantage moves to setup, execution and people.

Racecraft · 3 min read

The superspeedway lottery, and how teams manage it

Pack racing cannot be won by being fastest. It can only be survived by being in the right place.