Can someone please explain how tape on the car can have an effect on performance at a track with ...???

Question

top speeds of 80 and 90 mph?

This is in reference to Kyle's second qualifyling run at Infineon. Aerodynamics is not an issue at this track so how is it considered unfair to have had tape on the car during qualifying? Where exactly was the tape?

I just want to know more about the sport and really don't care if Kyle had a disadvantage or not.

Answer 1

Too much tape can over heat the radiator and make u lose horse power.

Answer 2

TAPE ALSO HELPS CONTROLS THE DOWN FORCE,THESE CARS ARE VERY AERO DYNAMIC

Answer 3

The tape is around the air ducts it's to keep the temps at the right level for best results

Answer 4

It blocks the cal induction on the hood so debris doesn't get into the carb and the motor and blow it up Tina. This is where the air gets sucked in to mix with fuel. No air means no horse power.

By the way its the tape on the hood near the windshield and not on the grille. It has nothing to do with aero.

Here's a good example. Go put a piece of plastic on your hair dryer where the air gets sucked in and tell me what happens.

I believe a NASCAR official is supposed to pull the tape before each car leaves to qualify.  In this case someone forgot.

Answer 5

GOOD ANSWER TBONE

not much to add to that

Answer 6

The tape thing has been answered but I think top speed would be closer to 120 or 130 at Infineon.

Answer 7

basically everything but i think he forgot one thing even though aerodynamics are not are not an issue there is still air flow and your car still has to push though air so if your grille is not taped air will hit to the radiator and slows down therefor slowing the car down too but if you have it taped up the it will just go around the car,like over the top or off the sides. So the less openings you have on your car the more downforce you have making you steer better though the corner but you need some opening for the car to get air to cool it down because if you cannot get any cool air to the engine it will overheat and eventually blow up if you do not fix it in time

Answer 8

It was blocking the cowl induction which is the main air intake for the car. The performance decrease was probably extrememy noticeable.

Answer 9

T-bone has a great answer. They touched base on it yesterday during qualifying a bit. But, T-bone's answer was more in depth.

Answer 10

The interesting part was Kyle was almost as fast with the tape and lots less power.