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> used to block air when a driver puts his hand out the window during qualifying. I'm not a NASCAR enthusiast. Can someone who is, explain this?

I_Am_Nous 3y ago
NASCAR vehicles don't have windows, so according to this article[1] it's an attempt to reduce drag by reducing air trying to come into the window. In this context, a glove with mesh between the fingers could make for a better "plug" and block more of the window compared to a standard glove. 1. https://fansided.com/2018/02/11/nascar-daytona-500-qualifying-why-drivers-had-their-hands-out-windows/ https://fansided.com/2018/02/11/nascar-daytona-500-qualifyin...
- FrustratedMonky 3y ago
  but wouldn't they need to keep both hands on the wheel? And the wheel is bit removed from the window? I guess they are looking at differences in the hundredths of decimal points.
  - bcraven 3y ago
    From that link: "He was for all intents and purposes driving with one hand on the wheel, which you probably can only do when you’re as talented and as experienced as Rowdy."
  - slicing360 3y ago
    If you watch at the beginning of his pole lap, you can see he is driving almost entirely one-handed for the first part of the lap: https://x.com/NASCARONFOX/status/1757963422874906969?s=20 https://x.com/NASCARONFOX/status/1757963422874906969?s=20 Also, the margins at super speedways are really small and this opening is the least aerodynamic piece of the car so altering that opening can definitely come with benefits that could make a difference.
- worewood 3y ago
  Had some difficulty parsing this. What I understood is that they do have a window opening, which cannot be closed.
  - OJFord 3y ago
    Yes, no glass on the driver's side for safety (nothing to break? ease of pulling them out in case of fire?) according to GP's link.
- OJFord 3y ago
  That makes much more sense, OP confused me by calling it aerodynamic, I was thinking maybe I could understand that making a significant difference (or at least the desire to try) on a motorbike, but...
- FirmwareBurner 3y ago
  >NASCAR vehicles don't have windows Did they already switch to Linux? Impressive.
lostlogin 3y ago
> explain this I also struggled to understand how it worked, but the article does eventually explain it. “As you can see, the entire glove is webbed. The reason for that is you can obviously block more air, the drivers do put their hand up against the (window) opening”.
zikduruqe 3y ago
This is a good series of short videos that explain how teams and crews "bend" the rules in NASCAR. https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLdxIcYiHE95ysl-GO7yYCU4KRWUpXcLYk&si=-NdYrlCBr0aVV7vO https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLdxIcYiHE95ysl-GO7yYCU4KR... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0DHJV8DQ8tw https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0DHJV8DQ8tw (This is about the window net) The window net is square where the window has a little triangle opening at the A pillar. Redirecting the air near that triangle opening could make the car handle differently.

I_Am_Nous 3y ago

NASCAR vehicles don't have windows, so according to this article[1] it's an attempt to reduce drag by reducing air trying to come into the window. In this context, a glove with mesh between the fingers could make for a better "plug" and block more of the window compared to a standard glove. 1. https://fansided.com/2018/02/11/nascar-daytona-500-qualifying-why-drivers-had-their-hands-out-windows/ https://fansided.com/2018/02/11/nascar-daytona-500-qualifyin...

FrustratedMonky 3y ago
but wouldn't they need to keep both hands on the wheel? And the wheel is bit removed from the window? I guess they are looking at differences in the hundredths of decimal points.
- bcraven 3y ago
  From that link: "He was for all intents and purposes driving with one hand on the wheel, which you probably can only do when you’re as talented and as experienced as Rowdy."
- slicing360 3y ago
  If you watch at the beginning of his pole lap, you can see he is driving almost entirely one-handed for the first part of the lap: https://x.com/NASCARONFOX/status/1757963422874906969?s=20 https://x.com/NASCARONFOX/status/1757963422874906969?s=20 Also, the margins at super speedways are really small and this opening is the least aerodynamic piece of the car so altering that opening can definitely come with benefits that could make a difference.
worewood 3y ago
Had some difficulty parsing this. What I understood is that they do have a window opening, which cannot be closed.
- OJFord 3y ago
  Yes, no glass on the driver's side for safety (nothing to break? ease of pulling them out in case of fire?) according to GP's link.
OJFord 3y ago
That makes much more sense, OP confused me by calling it aerodynamic, I was thinking maybe I could understand that making a significant difference (or at least the desire to try) on a motorbike, but...
FirmwareBurner 3y ago
>NASCAR vehicles don't have windows Did they already switch to Linux? Impressive.

lostlogin 3y ago

> explain this I also struggled to understand how it worked, but the article does eventually explain it. “As you can see, the entire glove is webbed. The reason for that is you can obviously block more air, the drivers do put their hand up against the (window) opening”.

zikduruqe 3y ago

This is a good series of short videos that explain how teams and crews "bend" the rules in NASCAR. https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLdxIcYiHE95ysl-GO7yYCU4KRWUpXcLYk&si=-NdYrlCBr0aVV7vO https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLdxIcYiHE95ysl-GO7yYCU4KR... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0DHJV8DQ8tw https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0DHJV8DQ8tw (This is about the window net) The window net is square where the window has a little triangle opening at the A pillar. Redirecting the air near that triangle opening could make the car handle differently.