NASA Teams-up with NASCAR

The automotive industry has always sought inspiration from its aeronautics and space big sister for developing innovations that would allow it to create meaner (and even greener) racing vehicles, with some of the developments eventually reaching the production vehicles.

One of the entities that have brought an important contribution to the automotive world over the years is NASA, which has offered advanced racing solutions and has developed environmental protection applications.

Now, NASA announces that it will team-up with NASCAR to offer an exhibition that presents its contributions to the racing world. Called “From Rockets to Race Cars", the display will be available at three NASCAR races this year: Richmond International Raceway, April 30-May 1, Charlotte Motor Speedway, May 29-30 and Kentucky Speedway, June 11-12

The exhibition will present a 1:25 scale NASA Benefits Race Car and a Wheel Exhibit, which includes a NASCAR tire, Shuttle tire, Lunar Rover tire, Lunar Tweel (a non-pneumatic tire/wheel combination) and a Spring Tire, giving fans the opportunity to compare the wheels of yesterday, today and tomorrow.

The event will also include interactive features, such as the NASA Spin the Wheel, a contest that will test racing fans’ NASA-related knowledge. In addition to that, the display will allow visitors to have a photo taken while “riding” in a NASA Race Car replica.

“Hold on to your hats race fans, NASA is coming to NASCAR. From better brakes and safer tires to heat-resistant paint and cleaner emissions, NASA's contributions to the racing world will be featured in the traveling exhibit,” stated the press release.