Innovations in Racing with Dale Earnhardt Jr.

About This Episode

What difference does the driver make? Neil deGrasse Tyson and co-hosts Chuck Nice and Gary O’Reilly break down the science of NASCAR in Neil’s interview with NASCAR Hall of Famer & NBC Sports Analyst, Dale Earnhardt Jr., with the help of physicist, Diandra Leslie-Pelecky.

Is this the fastest cars can go? Learn about the rules of NASCAR racing and the Next Gen car. Is standardization actually beneficial to the sport? We discuss innovation in race cars and what can be done with nanoparticles to make racing faster.

Why don’t they fill tires with air? We explore the thermodynamics of tires and the gasses used inside of them. Is there a sweet spot for tire pressure? Find out about the aerodynamics of racing an oval track and how drafting can impact a race. 

Is NASCAR going to go electric? Discover the reasons why or why not. What elements would still need to be improved upon? We also discuss safety, concussion in racing, and how the HANS device could make basal skull injuries a thing of the past.

Thanks to our Patrons Mud Runner, Jeffery Arzt, Valentin Ivan, Stuart Baker, Byron Griffin, and Michele Baldacci for supporting us this week.

NOTE: StarTalk+ Patrons can watch or listen to this entire episode commercial-free.