>> THAT WAS AWESOME!
JUST LIKE BEING IN NASCAR.
>> Beth: MARTY, YOU HAVE TO GO
FASTER TO GET THE NASCAR
EXPERIENCE TO FEEL THE
DOWNFORCE, DRAFT AND DRAG.
>> THESE AREA DYNAMIC, THESE ARE
RACE CARS.
>> UF TO KEEP THE THREE D'S IN
MIND.
>> Marty: DO WE HAVE TIME TO
RACE AGAIN?
>> Beth: WE SURE DO.
THIS IS "STEM IN 30".
♪ [ MUSIC ] ♪♪
>> THIS IS "STEM IN 30".
>> Beth: I MEAN BETH WILSON.
>> Marty: I'M MARTY KELSEY.
>> Beth: WE'RE COMING LIVE FROM
THE NASCAR HALL OF FAME IN
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA.
>> Marty: WE'RE STANDING ON
GLORY ROAD AND THE TRACK IS
BANKED AT 33 DEGREES HERE JUST
LIKE IN TALLADEGA.
GLORY ROAD IS A SNAPSHOT OF
NASCAR HISTORY.
>> Beth: HERE YOU CAN SEE CARS
THAT HAVE BEEN DRIVEN BY KYLE
BUSCH, JIMMIE JOHNSON AND JEFF
GORDON.
>> Marty: AND THE NUMBER
THREE-CAR DRIVEN BY DALE
EARNHARDT.
>> Beth: THESE CARS CHANGE SO
YOU NEVER NOAH YOU'LL SEE ON
GLORY ROAD AT THE NASCAR HALL OF
FAME.
WE WANT TO REMIND ALL OF YOU
WATCHING ON LINE THAT YOU CAN
SUBMIT QUESTIONS LIVE AND WE MAY
TAKE THEM ON THE AIR.
>> Marty: WE HAVE GREAT STUDENTS
FROM CANNON SCHOOL JOINING US
TODAY.
WHOO.
>> Marty: HERE REVVED UP AND
READY TO GO AND HAVE GREAT
QUESTIONS FOR OUR EXPERTS.
>> Beth: BEFORE WE GET STARTED
LET'S TAKE A QUICK TOUR OF THE
NASCAR HALL OF FAME.
>>> I'M SCALISE SCALISE.
THE NASCAR HALL OF FAME HOPED IN
SWING OF 2010 AS PLACE OF
CONVERSING.
40 LEGENDARY FIGURES FROM
DRIVERS AND TEAM OWNERS AND CREW
CHIEF HAVE BEEN INDUCTED INTO
THE HALL OF FAME.
WE'RE PROUD TO SHARE THEIR
STORIES WITH FANS FROM ALL OVER
THE WORLD.
>> OUR STATE-OF-THE-ART FACILITY
FEATURES EXHIBITS LIKE VISITORS
CHANGING A TIRE AND FILLING GAS
AS FAST AS THEY CAN.
OUR RACING STIMULATOR THAT PUTS
GUESTS BEHIND THE WHEEL OF A
RACE CAR.
OUR HUGE HIGH OCTANE FEEDER
FEATURES A CURVE SCREEN,
SURROUND SOUND AND AUDIO MAKING
IT GREAT TO WATCH A RACE.
POSING FOR A PICTURE IN FRONT OF
GLORY ROAD IS A MUST.
THE TRACK INCREASES FROM ZERO TO
33 IT DEGREES, WITH TRACKS
REPRESENTED FROM AROUND THE
NATION AND 18 CARS.
THE HALL OF HONOR, THE RECENT
HALL OF FAME CLASS REPRESENTED
THROUGH VIDEOS AND ARTIFACTS
THAT PAINT THE PICTURE OF THEIR
CAREERS.
WE'RE PROUD TO OFFER FUN,
EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES:
THERE'S SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE.
WHETHER YOU FOLLOW A FAVORITE
DRIVER FOR DECADES OR WITNESSED
A RACE, WE ENCOURAGE YOU TO
EXPERIENCE ALL THE HALL HAS TO
OFFER.
>> Beth: I'M JOINED BY KURT
ROMBERG, CHIEF AERODYNAMICIST,
ROUSH FENWAY RACING, THANK YOU
SO MUCH FOR BEING HERE.
>> MY PLEASURE.
>> WHAT IS AN AERODYNAMICIST?
>> IT'S AN ENGINEER, I'M
SCHOOLED AS AN ENGINEER AND WORK
AT ROUCHE FENWAY TO MAKE THE
RACE CARS GO FASTER.
WE CAN DESIGN THE CARS AND SHAPE
THE CARS SO WHEN AIR GOES OVER
THEM IT PUSHES DOWN ON THE CAR.
WHAT THAT DOES IS GIVES THE
TIRES MORE GRIP.
WHEN TIRES HAVE MORE GRIP IT
ALLOWS THE DRIVERS TO GO AROUND
THE RACETRACK FASTER.
WE'RE TRYING TO SHAPE THE CARS
SUCH THAT WE GIVE THE CAR MORE
GRIP.
>> Beth: YOU USE ONE OF THESE,
IS THAT CORRECT?
>> YES, WE DO, THIS IS A SCALE
WIND TUNNEL AND THIS IS THE TEST
ARTICLE IN THE WIND TUNNEL
PROPER.
IN A MINUTE WE'LL FIRE THIS UP
SO YOU CAN SEE.
WE'VE GOT STREAMERS TAPED TO THE
SIDE SO YOU CAN SEE WHAT THE AIR
DOES AS IT GOES OVER THE CAR.
>> Beth: LET'S HAVE CHLOE PUSH
DOWN ON THE BACK AND TALK ABOUT
WHAT'S GOING ON.
>> WE'RE MEASURING DOWN FORCE AT
THE FRONT AXLE AND HE REAR AXLE.
UNDERNEATH EACH AXLE WE HAVE A
METERED, MUCH LIKE A BATHROOM
SCALE AT HOMES.
IT MEASURES HOW MUCH FORCE IS
PUSHING DOWN.
AS KHLOE PUSHES DOWN, THIS GOES
UP.
IF SHE HAD LONG ARMS SHE COULD
PUSH DOWN ON THE FRONT AND THIS
METER WOULD GO UP TOO.
WHEN TUNING CARS, WE WANT TO
KNOW HOW MUCH DOWN FORCE ON THE
FRONT AND HOW MUCH IT PUSHING
DOWN ON THE BACK.
>> Beth: SHOW US HOW THE WIND
TUNNEL WORKS.
>> WE'RE GOING TO HAVE GRAHAM
FIRE UP THE FAN AND IT BLOWS AIR
OVER THE CAR.
YOU CAN WATCH THESE NUMBERS
CHANGE.
YOU CAN SEE THE NUMBERS ARE
ACTUALLY GOING UP BECAUSE THE
AIR IS PUSHING DOWN ON THE CAR.
OVER ON THIS SIDE ON REAR DOWN
FORCE, YOU CAN SEE THERE'S ABOUT
A LITTLE OVER .7 POUNDS OF DOWN
FORCE THE AIR IS CREATING ON THE
BACK OF THE CAR.
AT THE FRONT, YOU CAN SEE
THERE'S A LITTLE OVER .2, CHLOE
IS GOING TO HELP US BECAUSE
WE'RE GOING TO CHANGE THE SHAPE
TO MAKE MORE REAR DOWN FORCE,
WE'LL ADD A LARGER SPOILER TO
THE BACK OF THE CAR.
AND YOU CAN SEE THE REAR DOWN
FORCE THAT USED TO BE ABOUT .7
IS NOW UP IN THE 1.1, ALMOST 1.2
RANGE.
WE INCREASED THE REAR DOWN FORCE
WHICH MAKES THE REAR TIRES GRIP
THE RACETRACK AND ALLOW THE CAR
TO GO FASTER.
>> Beth: DOWN FORCE IS ALL ABOUT
GOING FASTER.
>> YES.
>> RECENTLY WE GOT CHANCE TO
TALK TO JACOB WALLACE, NASCAR
K&N SERIES DRIVER.
HE TALKED ABOUT HOW DOWN FORCE
EFFECTS HIM ON THE TRACK.
>> DOWN FORCE AFFECTS DRIVING
CONDITIONS ON DIFFERENT TRACKS,
DEPENDING ON THE SIZE.
ON A SMALL TRACK WHERE YOU HAVE
VERY TIGHT CORNERS, YOUR
STRAIGHT' WAYS AREN'T AS LONG SO
YOU DON'T FEEL THE SPEED AS YOU
WOULD ON A BIGGER TRACK.
THE CORNERS, WHERE YOU'RE
PRODUCING A LOT OF DOWN FORCE
AND SIDE FORCE, YOU GET PUSHED
DOWN INTO YOUR SEAT WHEN
CORNERING.
ON A BIGGER TRACK, SAY GOING
DOWN THE STRAIGHT AWAY, YOU
DON'T FEEL THAT FORCE PUSHING
INTO YOU.
WHAT YOU DO FEEL IS THE CAR --
IT'S ALMOST LIKE A DELAY TO THE
LEFT.
YOU HAVE MORE AIR THAT'S RUSHING
OVER THE CAR AND UNDER THE CAR
AND IDEALLY YOU WANT YOUR CAR
PUSHED DOWN AS MUCH INTO THE
TRACK BUT THERE'S GOING TO BE
AIR COMING UNDER THE CAR AS
WELL.
THAT STARTS TO LIFT THE CAR UP
DOWN FORCE HELPS DELIVER SPEED
AND SPEED IS GOOD.
ALONG WITH DOWN FORCE COMES
DRAG.
DRAG IS A DRAG.
>> I'VE GOT TO FRIEND THAT WILL
HELP ME, CHASE, WAY UP AT THE
TOP OF GLORY ROAD.
I SAW CHASE WALK IN AND I WAS
LIKE, THERE IS A FAST DUDE.
AND HE'S SO FAST THAT HE'S GOING
TO RUN FOR US.
BUT WE DECIDED WE PROBABLY
NEEDED TO SLOW HIM DOWN A LITTLE
BIT SO WE ATTACHED A PARACHUTE
TO HIS BACK.
NICK IS HELPING HIM.
HE'S LIKE THE PIT CREW.
I'M GOING TO TELL CHASE TO GO
AND HE'S GOING TO RUN AS FAST AS
HE CAN AND WE'RE GOING TO SEE
WHAT HAPPENS WITH THE PARACHUTE.
CHASE, ARE YOU READY?
ON YOUR MARK, GET SET, GO!
HERE HE COMES.
HE'S GIVING IT SOME GAS.
COME ON AROUND THE CURVE.
ALL RIGHT, NICE JOB.
COME ON BACK, CHASE.
THAT WAS REALLY GOOD.
HOW DID THAT FEEL?
>> IT WAS TOUGH WITH THE
PARACHUTE ON.
>> WHY?
>> BECAUSE THE FORCE OF THE AIR
IN THE PARACHUTE SLOWED ME DOWN.
>> YOU'VE RUN WITH A PARACHUTE
BEFORE?
>> YES.
>> FOR TRAINING.
>> BECAUSE YOU'RE A RUNNER.
>> YES.
>> KURT AND BETH, WHY IS THAT SO
MUCH HARDER TO RUN WITH A
PARACHUTE?
>> Beth: WHY?
>> Marty: LIKE JACOB SAID, DRAG
IS DRAG.
YOU COULD SEE THROUGH CHASE THAT
THAT PARACHUTE WAS PULLING HIM
BACK AND THE FORCES PULLING HIM
BACK IS AERODYNAMIC DRAMATIC.
WE ADDED DRAG TO CHASE, WHICH IS
THE OPPOSITE-OF-WHAT WE WANT TO
DO TO THE RACE CARS.
THE RACE CARS HAVE MOTORS THAT
PRODUCE HORSEPOWER AND THAT
HORSEPOWER IS USED TO OVERCOME
THE AERODYNAMIC DRAG.
IF UF 300 POUNDS, YOU HAVE TO
HAVE MORE THAN 300 POUNDS GOING
FORWARD CREATED BY THE THE
ENGINE.
IF WE MINIMIZE THE DRAG WE MAKE
THE CARGO FASTER.
>> Beth: IS THAT WHY WE DON'T
HAVE SIDE VIEW MIRRORS AND
HEADLIGHTS.
>> EXACTLY.
IF YOU LOOK ON YOUR MOM AND
DAD'S CARS, YOU SEE SIDE VIEW
MIRRORS, HEADLIGHTS RIGHT HERE,
DOOR HANDLES IN HERE.
THE RACE CARS DON'T HAVE THOSE.
BUT FOR ONE REASON, IT'S TO
REDUCE THE AERODYNAMIC DRAG.
THERE'S A LOT OF THINGS ON THE
CARS WE TAKE OFF SO IN CASE OF
AN ACCIDENT, THOSE PARTS DON'T
FLY INTO THE OTHER CARS.
IN THIS CASE WE'RE LOOKING AT
AERODYNAMIC DRAG AND REDUCING IT
TO GO FASTER.
>> Beth: NASCAR NEEDS TO REDUCE
DRAG BUT NASA HAS TO THINK ABOUT
DRAGS.
IT OVER COMES DRAG TO GET OFF
THE PLANET BUT USES TO LAND ON
ANOTHER PLANET.
RECENTLY WE TALKED TO NASA
SCIENTIST RICK DAVIS.
>> HOW DOES DRAG AFFECT ROCKETS?
IT'S ACTUALLY INCREDIBLY
IMPORTANT TO DEAL WITH.
IF YOU THINK ABOUT WHEN YOU
DRIVE AROUND IN YOUR CAR AND YOU
STICK YOUR HAND OUT THE WINDOW
AND PRESENT A FLAT SURFACE,
THAT'S THE FORCE OF DRAG.
WITH ROCKETS WE SPEND -- THIS IS
VERY SLEEK AND SPINDLE.
THE TOP, THE FIRST PART HITTING
THE AIR IS LITERALLY EASING THE
AIR AROUND HERE SO IT'S NOT A
BIG, FLAT SURFACE HITTING THE
AIR STRAIGHT ON.
THAT'S CRUCIAL FOR ALLOWING US
TO SUCCESSFULLY GET INTO SPACE.
THERE ARE A COUPLE WAYS WE USE
DRAG.
I'M GOING TO TALK ABOUT LANDING
ON MARS.
WHEN WE APPROACH MARS WE'RE
GOING 13,000 MILES AN HOUR,
SCREAMING.
WE HAVE TO SLOW THAT SPACECRAFT
FROM THAT SPEED TO ZERO.
AND SO THERE ARE ESSENTIALLY
THREE WAYS THAT WE CURRENTLY USE
DRAG TO MAKE THAT POSSIBLE.
FIRST OF ALL, WHEN WE COME INTO
THE ATMOSPHERE SOMETIMES WE CAN
EVEN GO DIPPING INTO THE
ATMOSPHERE SEVERAL TIMES AND
EVERY TIME WE PASS THROUGH THE
ATMOSPHERE, IT'S AMAZING, IT
HELPS SLOW THE SPACECRAFT DOWN.
FINALLY WHEN WE'RE READY TO
LAND, THE NEXT THING WE DO IS
WE -- THESE -- TYPICALLY WE HAVE
A CAPSULELIKE STRUCTURE WITH A
BOTTOM SIDE WHICH IS A SHIELD.
THE SHIELD IS DESIGNED TO BE
BURNT.
AND WHEN IT IS COMING DOWN
THROUGH THE ATMOSPHERE, AND THAT
ENERGY -- THE ENERGY COMING ON
TO THIS WILL SLOW IT DOWN AND
IT'S -- IT GETS ITS SPEED
COMPLETELY UNDER CONTROL.
THAT IS NOT THE ONLY THING WE
USE DRAG FOR, THOUGH.
THE NEXT THING WE DO IS WHEN WE
GET THIS THING SLOW ENOUGH WE
RELEASE THESE ENORMOUS CHUTES,
PARACHUTES, THAT HELP SLOW IT
DOWN AND GENTLE DROP IT ON THE
SURFACE.
ALL THOSE THINGS ARE USING DRAG
FUNDAMENTALLY TO ALLOW US TO DO
SOMETHING COOL LIKE LAND ON
ANOTHER PLANET.
>> Beth: KURT, SHOULD WE TAKE
QUESTIONS?
>> SURE.
>> Beth: LET'S START WITH A
VIDEO QUESTION.
>> I'M ELLA AND I'M WONDERING
HOW MANY MEMBERS ARE ON A PIT
CREW AND WHAT ARE THEIR ROLES?
>> GOOD QUESTION.
HOW MANY MEMBERS ARE ON A PIT
CREW?
WHAT WE HAVE IS WE'VE GOT SEVEN
MEMBERS GOING OVER THE WALL.
THERE'S A SHORT WALL ON PIT
ROAD.
WHEN THE CAR COMES IN, SEVEN
CARS GO OVER THE WALL.
A REAR TIRE CHANGER AND REAR
TIRE CARRIER, A FRONT TIRE
CHANGER AND FRONT TIRE CARRIER
THAT CHANGE THE FRONT TIRES.
A JACK MANBACKS THE CAR UP AND A
FUEL MAN PUTS GAS IN THE CAR,
THE SEVENTH MEMBER IS FOR DRIVER
COMFORT.
WE SEND HIM OVER THE WALL TO
PULL A TEAROFF OFF THE
WINDSHIELD, CLEANING THE
WINDSHIELD.
WE HAVE PLASTIC WRAP ON THE
WINDSHIELD AND THERE'S TIRE AND
DEBRIS THAT COMES OFF THE TRACK
AND GETS ON THE WINDSHIELD SO WE
PULL A TEAROFF OFF.
ALL THAT IN LESS THAN 12
SECONDS.
>> Beth: YOU TALK ABOUT SEVEN
MEN, WHAT IS THE WALL FOR?
>> THE WALL IS TO SEPARATE THE
RACE CAR FROM THE TEAMS.
IT'S A SAFETY DEVICE.
SO IF A CAR COMES SPINNING, IT
HITS THE WALL AND DOESN'T GET
INTO THE GUYS.
>> Beth: OKAY.
>> IT'S REALLY THERE TO PROTECT
THE PEOPLE BEHIND THE WALL.
>> Beth: LET'S TAKE AN ONLINE
QUESTION.
WHY NOT USE A DESIGN SIMILAR TO
F1 CARS?
WOULD THEIR SLEEK DESIGN CUT
DOWN ON WIND RESISTANCE?
>> THAT'S A GREAT QUESTION.
IF YOU FOLLOW FORMULA ONE YOU
CAN SEE THE HUGE DIFFERENCE
BETWEEN FORMULA ONE CARS AND
WHAT WE CALL STOCK CARS, THESE
OVER HERE.
FORMULA ONE CARS HAVE OPEN
WHEELS.
WHILE THESE AREN'T FORMULA ONE
THEY LOOK LIKE THAT.
THE WHEELS ARE NOT COVERED.
BY THE WAY THEY HAVE GOT MORE
DRAG THAN OUR CARS DO.
SIGNIFICANTLY MORE DRAG.
THEY'VE GOT MORE HORSEPOWER BUT
MORE DRAG.
THEY ALSO PRODUCE MORE
DOWNFORCE.
THE WINGS IN THE FRONT AND BACK,
WE HAVE A SPOILER AND A VALANCE.
THE REASON THESE CARS LOOK THAT
WAY IS BECAUSE THIS RACING WAS
BASED ON PRODUCTION CARS, THE
CARS YOUR MOTHER AND FATHER
WOULD DRIVE YEARS AGO.
SO THE MANUFACTURERS AND NASCAR
WANTED TO MAINTAIN THE JUMP
BETWEEN A PRODUCTION CAR AND
RACE CAR.
SO THE RULES FOR FORMULA ONE
CARS ARE WIDE OPEN IN SHAPES.
BUT THE RULES FOR STOCK CARS,
THEY WANT TO MAINTAIN THE
CONNECTION BETWEEN A PRODUCTION
CAR AND RACE CAR.
>> Beth: DO THE SAME PEOPLE WHO
BUILD MY CAR THAT I DRIVE TO
WORK, DO THEY BUILD THE NASCAR
CARS?
>> THE ORIGINAL MANUFACTURER --
FOR INSTANCE AT ROUCHE FENWAY WE
GET THE A LOT OF PARTS AND
SUPPORT FROM THE MANUFACTURER.
DO THEY BUILD THE CARS?
THEY BUILD A LOT OF STAMPINGS,
STEEL BODY PARTS.
BUT THE REST OF IT HAS ALL
MIGRATED TOWARD A RACING TYPE OF
OPERATION RATHER THAN
PRODUCTION.
>> Beth: OKAY.
WHO HAS MY FIRST AUDIENCE
QUESTION?
COME ON UP.
>> I WAS WONDERING HOW THE BUILD
OF A REGULAR CAR IS DIFFERENT
FROM A RACE CAR.
>> WELL, THERE'S ACTUALLY QUITE
A FEW THINGS.
IF YOU THINK ABOUT THE CAR THAT
YOUR MOM AND DAD DRIVE, YOU GET
IN AND THERE'S SEATS IN THE
FRONT AND SEATS IN THE BACK.
IN A RACE CAR THERE'S ONE SEAT,
JUST THE DRIVER.
WHEN YOU'RE DRIVING DOWN THE
ROAD AND YOU'RE WARM, YOU CAN
TURN THE AIR CONDITIONER ON,
RIGHT?
NO AIR CONDITIONERS IN RACE
CARS.
YOU CAN ROLL THE WINDOW DOWN BUT
YOU CAN'T IN RACE CARS.
EVERYTHING ON THE INSIDE OF THE
CAR IS TAKEN OUT.
IT'S VERY SPARTAN.
NOT VERY MUCH TO KEEP IT LIGHT.
WE WANT TO KEEP THE CARS VERY
LIGHT BUT STRONG.
THE STRUCTURE OF A RACE CAR IS
TUBE STEEL WELDED TOGETHER.
THE STRUCTURE OF YOUR MOM AND
DAD'S CAR IS STAMPED STEEL
WELDED TOGETHER BUT THE STAMP
STEEL CAR HAS MORE ROOM INSIDE.
YOU CAN KEEP YOUR BROTHERS AND
SISTERS IN THE BACK.
THERE'S NO BACKSEAT IN THESE
CARS.
SO THAT'S A LITTLE BIT OF A
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN PRODUCTION
AND RACE CARS.
GREAT QUESTION.
>> Beth: LET'S TAKE A VIDEO
QUESTION.
>> HI, I'M SARAH.
MY QUESTION IS CARS HAVE TIRES
THAT ARE FILLED WITH OXYGEN AND
NITROGEN, WHICH WORKS ABOUT
BETTER FOR NASCAR.
>> THE QUESTION IS DO WE RUN
NITROGEN AND OXYGEN INSIDE THE
TIRES?
NO, WE USE PRIMELY NITROGEN.
NITROGEN IS INERT GAS WHICH
MEANS AS IT HEATS UP, IT DOESN'T
EXPAND VERY MUCH.
IT EXPANDS A LITTLE BUT NOT
MUCH.
THE REASON WE LIKE THAT IS
BECAUSE THE TIRE IS A MAJOR
PORTION OF HOW THE CAR HANDLES.
AND THE TIRE BASED ON ITS
CONSTRUCTION, HAS A SPRING RATE
TO IT.
WE CHANGE -- ON A PIT STOP WE'LL
CHANGE A QUARTER POUND OF AIR IN
THE TIRES AS AN ADJUSTMENT.
A VERY, VERY MINUTE ADJUSTMENT
BUT IT CHANGES HOW THE CAR
HANDLES.
THE DRIVER SAYS IT DOES ONE
THING, WE CORRECT IT ON A PIT
STOP.
WE USE NITROGEN MAKE THEM GO
FASTER.
>> Beth: WE HAVE TALKED ABOUT
DOWN FORCE AND DRAG BUT THERE'S
ONE MORE D, DRAFTING.
AND WE TALKED TO JACOB WALLACE
ABOUT DRAFTING.
>> THE BEST WAY TO EXPLAIN
DRAFTING IS TO THINK OF AIR AS
MOLD USELESS.
-- MOLECULES.
YOU HAVE TO MOVE THEM OUT OF THE
WAY.
THE WAY DRAFTING HELPS IS BY
HAVING TWO CARS GET IN LINE.
THE FIRST CAR IS MOVING THE AIR
MOLECULES OUT OF THE WAY AND THE
SECOND CAR BEHIND, THOSE AIR
MOLECULES FLOAT OVER THE SECOND
CAR WITHOUT BOUNCING INTO THE
FRONT BUMPER.
DRAFTING IS LIKE DRAFTING BUT
BEING AS CLOSE AS POSSIBLE TO
THE DRIVER IN FRONT OF YOU.
RIGHT ON THE BUMPER.
THE FEELING OF BUMP DRAFTING, IF
YOU'RE THE BUMPER, ISN'T THAT
SCARY BECAUSE YOU FEEL LIKE YOU
HAVE MORE CONTROL BECAUSE YOU'RE
THE ONE DOING THE BUMPING.
IT'S MUCH SCARE YOUR IF YOU'RE
BEING BUMPED BECAUSE YOU CAN SEE
THE CAR COMING IN YOUR REARVIEW
MIRROR BUT YOU'RE NOT 100% SURE
HOW MUCH FORCE THEY'RE GOING TO
HIT YOU WITH AND YOU'RE NOT SURE
IF IT'S GOING TO BE ENOUGH FORCE
TO GET YOUR CAR UNSETTLED.
>> LAYTON IS PUTTING ON A RACE
WORN SUIT WORN BY KYLE BUSCH AND
THERE IS COOL.Y
IT'S A FIRE SUIT.
>> IT'S IN CASE OF AN ACCIDENT.
WE CARRY 22 GALLONS OF FUEL AND
IF THERE'S ACCIDENTS, THAT FUEL
CAN SPILL AND SLOSH ALL OVER.
THERE'S A SMALL CHANCE THAT IT A
DRIVER COULD BE INSIDE A CAR
WITH A FIRE INSIDE OF IT.
THESE FIRE SUITS, THEY'RE NOT
FIRE -- THEY'RE FIRE PROTECTION,
THEY'RE NOT FIRE -- YOU CAN
EVENTUALLY GET HARMED BUT THESE
ARE MADE OF MATERIALS FROM SFI
WITH A RESISTANCE RATING,
WHETHER 30 SECONDS OR A MINUTE.
A DRIVER CAN BE INSIDE A FIRE
AND BECAUSE HE'S COVERED FROM
HEAD TO TOE BETWEEN THE HELMET,
THE SUIT, GLOVES AND FOOTWEAR
HE'S SAFE UP TO A MINUTE INSIDE
OF A BURNING CAR.
THAT GIVES HIM THE OPPORTUNITY
TO GET THE WINDOW NET DOWN AND
GET OUT.
>> HOW DOES THAT FEEL?
>> IT'S HOT AND HALF.
>> IT LOOKS HOT AND HEAVY.
>> IT IS HOT AND HEAVY.
THE DRIVERS ALSO HAVE A SET OF
UNDERGARMENTS, SHIRTS AND PANTS,
THAT ARE UNDERNEATH THIS AND
MAKES IT EVEN HOTTER.
INSIDE A RACE CAR IT CAN BE 130,
140 DEGREES FOR UP TO FOUR HOURS
SO IT'S HOT INSIDE.
IT'S A TRADE OFF.
YOU WANT TO KEEP THEM SAFE BUT
COMFORTABLE.
>> Marty: AND ENGINE BEHIND US
GATES HOT.
>> EVERYTHING ABOUT THE CAR IS
HOT.
>> Marty: A SUIT LIKE THIS HAS A
STRONG CONNECTION TO NASA.
>> IT DOES, THIS IS A FIRE
RESISTANT SUIT.
THE ASTRONAUTS WEAR SOMETHING
LIKE THIS.
THEY'RE ON TOP OF A ROMAN CANDLE
AND THERE'S A POSSIBILITY OF AN
ACCIDENTAL.
YOU HAVE TO GIVE THEM TIME TO
GET AWAY OF THE SPACECRAFT.
>> Marty: BETH GOT A CHANCE TO
WEAR A SUIT LIKE THIS AND I'M A
LITTLE BIT JEALOUS BECAUSE SHE
GOT TO GO ON A NASCAR RIDE
ALONG.
CHECK THIS OUT.
>> AT ATLANTA, I HAD TOO MUCH
WEIGHT DOWN THE BACK STRETCH.
>> Beth: OH, GOSH.
SHUT UP.
TODAY I'M AT THE RICHMOND
INTERNATIONAL RACEWAY WITH
WARREN LIPFORD, MY DRIVER ON
THIS ADVENTURE.
THANK YOU.
>> NO PROBLEM.
>> HOW FAST ARE WE GOING TO GO?
>> PROBABLE IS 135, 140.
>> Beth: TYPICALLY WHEN YOU'RE
RACING, HOW FAST DO YOU GO?
>> HITTING CLOSE TO 160, 170.
WHEN YOU DRIVE, YOU JUST GO IN
THE CORNER, GIVE IT GAS, LET
OFF.
YOU FEEL THE G'S AND TRY NOT TO
WRECK.
SEE HOW SHE GOES.
>> Beth: ALL RIGHT.
I'M NERVOUS ABOUT THIS BUT LET'S
JUST DO IT.
>> READY?
>> Beth: READY AS I'M GOING TO
BE.
THAT WAS A RIDE AROUND RICHMOND.
>> Beth: THAT WAS AWESOME.
COMPLETELY AWESOME!
OKAY.
SO I'VE GOT TO SAY THIS RIDE
ALONG WITH TOTALLY AWESOME.
WARREN, THANK YOU SO MUCH.
KURT, SHOULD WE TAKE MORE
QUESTIONS?
>> SURE.
>> LET'S START WITH A VIDEO
QUESTION.
>> I'M ADAM, MY QUESTION IS WHY
DON'T A ANY OF THE OTHER CARS
HAVE ANY DOORS.
>> GREAT QUESTION, ADAM.
THE CARS DON'T HAVE DOORS.
THEY STARTED HAVING DOORS BUT
NASCAR MADE THE GUYS WELD THOSE
UP AND SUBSEQUENTLY WE MOVED
AWAY FROM DOORS AS A SAFETY
ITEM.
THE CARS TEND TO WRECK A LOT AND
A LOT TIMES THE DOORS WOULD FLY
OPEN AND PRESENT A SAFE ISSUE SO
NASCAR IS MANDATED TO THE RACE
TEAMS THERE WILL NOT BE DOORS ON
THE RACE CARS.
YOU MIGHT WONDER HOW WE GET IN
AND OUT, JUST CLIMB THROUGH THE
WINDOW.
>> Beth: WE HAVE AN ONLINE
QUESTION.
>> IS CARBON FIBER USED IN
NASCAR?
>> YES ACTUALLY.
CARBON FIRE IS USED A LOT.
THE CARBON SEATS THAT DRIVERS
SIT IN OR CARBON.
THERE ARE A LOT OF LITTLE THINGS
AROUND THE RACE CAR MADE OF
CARBON.
IN TODAY'S WORLD, THE HOODS AND
THE DECK LIDS OR TRUNK LIDS ARE
MADE OF CARBON.
CARBON IS FINDING ITS WAY INTO
THE SPORT.
NASCAR HAS KEPT IT OUT OF THE
SPORT FOR A LONG TIME BECAUSE
CARBON IS VERY EXPENSIVE BUT
THEY'RE FINDING OUT THE WEIGHT
SAVINGS OFFSETS THE MONETARY
INCREASE.
>> Beth: OKAY.
WHO HAS MY NEXT AUDIENCE
QUESTION?
>> WOULD USING A LIGHTER CAR
MAKE THE CASH GO FASTER BUT
FLIP?
>> GREAT QUESTION.
CARBON FIBERS ARE -- IS A MUCH
LIGHTER MATERIAL.
WE DO USE THEM, ONE, TO MAKE THE
CAR LIGHTER SO IT GOES FASTER.
THEN YOU ASKED WOULD IT HELP IF
IT FLIPS.
A CAR THAT FLIPS IS A FUNCTION
OF HOW IT SPINS AND HOW THE AIR
GOES OVER THE CAR WHEN IT SPINS.
CARBON WON'T NECESSARILY CHANGE
THAT.
WHAT YOU CAN DO IS YOU CAN MAKE
SOME OF THE PARTS OF THE CARING
CARBON.
EXCHANGE ALUMINUM FOR CARBON AND
SOME PARTS CAN BE USED TO STOP
THE CAR FROM FLIPPING.
IF YOU LOOK AT THESE CARS OVER
HERE, YOU'LL SEE ALONG THE TOP,
THERE ARE ROOF RAILS AND THOSE
HELP THE CAR THAT IS SPINNING
FROM FLIPPING.
>> Beth: THIS POPS OFF.
>> THERE ARE ROOF FLAPS THAT POP
UP.
THE RAILS ARE STATIONARY BUT THE
FLAPS POP UP.
THAT'S A MAJOR CONTRIBUTOR TO
KEEPING CARS ON THE GROUND.
>> Beth: GOOD QUESTION.
LET'S TAKE ANOTHER VIDEO
QUESTION.
>> HI, I'M ADEN AND I WAS
WONDERING ARE THEY LIMITED ON
PIT STOPS?
>> WE'RE NOT LIMITED ON HOW MANY
TIMES WE COME IN FOR A PIT STOP
BUT WE'RE LIMITED ON HOW MANY
GUYS WE SEND OVER THE WALL,
SEVEN GUYS.
WE'RE ALSO LIMITED ON WHAT WE
CAN DO ON A PIT STOP.
LAST YEAR IN THE YEARS PAST WE
COULD DO ALMOST ANYTHING.
NOT CHANGE A MOTOR BUT REPLACE
PARTS DAMAGED ON THE CAR.
THIS YEAR NASCAR HAS NEW RULES
THAT SAY WE DON'T WANT YOU
FIXING YOUR CAR ON PIT ROW
BECAUSE IT POSES A DANGER TO THE
GUYS OUT THERE WORKING.
SO WE CAN NO LONGER TAKE PARTS
OVER THE WALL AND PUT NEW PARTS
ON.
WE CAN USE WHAT PARTS ARE LEFT
AND REATTACH THEM BUT WE CAN'T
ADD PARTS.
THE ANSWER IS THERE'S A LOT OF
LIMITATIONS ON WHAT YOU CAN DO
ON PIT ROAD.
>> Beth: DUCT TAPE IS A FRIEND.
>> WE USE A LOT.
>> KURT, THANK YOU FOR BEING
WITH US.
I WOULD LIKE TO THANK THE NASCAR
HALL OF FAME, CRVA, OUR SPONSOR,
THE GERTRUDE E SKELLY
FOUNDATION.
NEXT WEEK WE'LL LOOK AT WOMEN
PAVING THE WAY TO MARS.
>> CHECK THIS OUT!
THIS IS SALLY RIDE'S P38 HELMET.
AMERICA'S FIRST WOMAN IN SPACE.
SHE USED TO WEAR THIS WHEN SHE
FLEW ON THE NASA T38 JET.
>> Beth: ONE THING ABOUT SALLY'S
HELMET IS THE COLOR.
SHE PICKED IT TO MATCH HER
PERSONALITY AND WANTED A NICER
SCRIPT.
IN JUNE 1983 SHE FLEW ON
CHALLENGER BRIDGING THE GENDER
GAP.
THE ACCOMPLISHED WOMEN HAVE
FLOWN IN SPACE SINCE AND MORE
ARE PREPARING TO FOLLOW IN THE
FUTURE.
YOU THINK THIS IS INTERESTING?
JOIN US FOR "STEM IN 30".
>> Beth: TODAY AS WE CLOSE OUT
WE WILL LEAVE YOU WITH MORE
SIGHTS AND SOUNDS OF MY RIDE
ALONG.
>> Marty: STICK OUT AFTER THE
CREDITS AS WE TALK TO KURT MORE
AND TAKE A FEW MORE QUESTIONS.
THANKS FOR WATCHING.
>> Beth: THANKS FOR WATCHING.
♪ [ MUSIC ] ♪♪
