written by
Diandra Leslie-Pelecki
published by
the Santa Fe Productions
supported by
the National Science Foundation
This web page consists of a series of NSF-sponsored videos on the scientific principles behind NASCAR racing. Based on the book The Physics of NASCAR by Diandra Leslie-Pelecky, the videos were designed to enhance public understanding of the math and science involved in motor sports. A variety of topics are explored: drag, aerodynamics, friction and heat, conservation of energy, circular motion, power, momentum, load transfer, and more. Viewers will see how NASCAR teams push science to its limits to gain the fraction of a second that separates the winner from the losers. The videos also show how these race cars are designed with "crumple zones" to transfer kinetic energy away from the driver's seat in a violent crash.
auto collision, auto racing, automobile physics, car racing, centripetal force, collisions, energy conservation, kinetic energy, race car, racecar, video
Record Creator:
Metadata instance created January 13, 2010
by Caroline Hall
<a href="https://www.compadre.org/introphys/items/detail.cfm?ID=9762">Leslie-Pelecki, Diandra. The Science of Speed. Albuquerque: Santa Fe Productions, October 30, 2009.</a>
Leslie-Pelecki, D. (2009, October 30). The Science of Speed. Retrieved March 15, 2026, from Santa Fe Productions: https://www.nsf.gov/news/special_reports/sos/index.jsp
Leslie-Pelecki, Diandra. The Science of Speed. Albuquerque: Santa Fe Productions, October 30, 2009. https://www.nsf.gov/news/special_reports/sos/index.jsp (accessed 15 March 2026).
Leslie-Pelecki, Diandra. The Science of Speed. Albuquerque: Santa Fe Productions, 2009. 30 Oct. 2009. National Science Foundation. 15 Mar. 2026 <https://www.nsf.gov/news/special_reports/sos/index.jsp>.
%A Diandra Leslie-Pelecki %T The Science of Speed %D October 30, 2009 %I Santa Fe Productions %C Albuquerque %U https://www.nsf.gov/news/special_reports/sos/index.jsp %O application/flash
%0 Electronic Source %A Leslie-Pelecki, Diandra %D October 30, 2009 %T The Science of Speed %I Santa Fe Productions %V 2026 %N 15 March 2026 %8 October 30, 2009 %9 application/flash %U https://www.nsf.gov/news/special_reports/sos/index.jsp
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