feddoc
Long Time Member
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I'm not a NASCAR fan, but learned something about restrictor plates from a hot rod forum.
Back when Dodge and Chrysler were losing to Ford and Chevy, the Dodge/Chrysler folks hired a couple of aerodynamic engineers (not letting either know about the other) and asked them why their cars were so slow.
Each engineer came up with the same idea regarding airflow. Given the Dodge Charger, there was a recessed area just below the hood (and just above the bumper forming a rectangular area) stretching between the headlights. This area caught a lot of air. There was also something going on with airflow over the back glass which induced some drag.
Each engineer came up with the same idea....build a slopenose front end with a high wing on the rear trunk area. That was the beginning of the Charger Daytona and the Superbird, along with just a few Daytona 500s.
Those cars started winning. So much do that NASCAR started issuing restrictions on those cars and shortly after force fed restrictor plates to racing.
Back when Dodge and Chrysler were losing to Ford and Chevy, the Dodge/Chrysler folks hired a couple of aerodynamic engineers (not letting either know about the other) and asked them why their cars were so slow.
Each engineer came up with the same idea regarding airflow. Given the Dodge Charger, there was a recessed area just below the hood (and just above the bumper forming a rectangular area) stretching between the headlights. This area caught a lot of air. There was also something going on with airflow over the back glass which induced some drag.
Each engineer came up with the same idea....build a slopenose front end with a high wing on the rear trunk area. That was the beginning of the Charger Daytona and the Superbird, along with just a few Daytona 500s.
Those cars started winning. So much do that NASCAR started issuing restrictions on those cars and shortly after force fed restrictor plates to racing.
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