The Vane, help us learn a thing please?

"Taylor Hedgie" (TaylorHedgie)
03/01/2015 at 15:21 • Filed to: RedneckScience

During NASCAR's pre race show, the guys have gone on and on about 'the vortex', basically stating that the heated column of air created by the race cars help keep rain, etc at bay.

Is there science to this, or are the boys chuggin' that there Moonshine a bit early today?

DISCUSSION (11)

ttyymmnn > Taylor Hedgie
03/01/2015 at 15:23

I emailed the link to Dennis Mersereau. We'll see if he chimes in. It sounds like BS to me.

Taylor Hedgie > ttyymmnn
03/01/2015 at 15:26

Sweet! I know a couple things about weather, and this just...I DUNNO MAN, I thought this would be interesting to see this being discussed between two Gawker sites.

E. Julius > Taylor Hedgie
03/01/2015 at 15:32

I'm not a meteorologist in any way, but this seems completely ridiculous to me. There's no way that the amount of energy a bunch of cars are putting into the atmosphere is even remotely comparable to what's involved in weather systems. If this were true, surely there would be other areas where it would be useful to divert a storm and we would see this effect being exploited elsewhere.

blacktruck18 > Taylor Hedgie
03/01/2015 at 15:39

Ihave heard them talking about this before and always wondered if it is true. I really don't think it would work.

Has the race been rain delayed? I dvr the races and start watching them late so I can fast forward through the commercials. If it is raining I need to change my dvr settings.

norskracer98-ExploringTheOutback > blacktruck18
03/01/2015 at 15:41

No, they're running. They just ran like 25 pace laps to start and that's when they were saying that.

blacktruck18 > norskracer98-ExploringTheOutback
03/01/2015 at 15:43

Cool, thanks.

Taylor Hedgie > E. Julius
03/01/2015 at 15:45

The only track I think this would remotely be possible is MAYBE...MAYBE...Bristol? I just know that nearly every possible chance of a rain delay one of the announcers brings up this 'vortex' nonsense.

E. Julius > Taylor Hedgie
03/01/2015 at 15:49

I still don't think it's possible. The announcers are mostly just old drivers right? Probably just some old racer's tale that they use to fill the time while nothing is happening.

desertdog5051 > Taylor Hedgie
03/01/2015 at 15:50

I think it is in the same vein as eating peanuts at the racetrack or green color cars or women at the track or.... vortex keeping rain away.

Dennis Mersereau > Taylor Hedgie
03/01/2015 at 17:59

Can confirm that the NASCAR vortex theory is nonsense. A bunch of cars quickly turning left prevents rain about as effectively as flushing ice cubes (or wearing your pajamas inside-out) will herald a snowstorm.

Taylor Hedgie > Dennis Mersereau
03/01/2015 at 18:11

The Vane hath spoken.