NASA and NASCAR
Agencies team up to celebrate

DAYTONA BEACH, FLORIDA — One travels at about 190 mph; the other at 17,500. There is no doubt that NASCAR driver Kurt Busch and NASA astronaut Andrew Feustel have different jobs. But the two learned there are similarities besides a need for speed in what they do. Feustel, a NASCAR fan, joined in on the fun at NASCAR's Preseason Thunder Fan Fest at Daytona International Speedway on Jan. 8, even taking laps in an official track vehicle. His appearance was in celebration of NASA’s 50th anniversary and the speedway’s 50th running of the Daytona 500 in 2008. Both deal with G-force in their jobs. According to the Daytona Beach News Journal: "You feel like you are spinning as you rotate around the Earth," Feustel, a geophysicist, told Busch. "What do you feel like when you get out of the car?" "Sometimes dizzy, but it is mostly from dehydration," Busch answered. And a difference? "Of course, I deal with the aerodynamics of the racecar," Busch told the astronaut. Feustel shot replied, "And I have the vacuum of space." Over the years, technology developed for the space program has found many uses on Earth, even helping NASCAR drivers stay safe and increase their performance. NASCAR drivers wear cooling suits very similar to what astronauts wear during spacewalks. Foam NASA developed for aircraft seats protect racecar drivers’ necks in a crash. And the same material that protects the space shuttle from extreme temperatures when it re-enters the atmosphere protects NASCAR drivers from the heat of their high-performance engines. In addition, NASA will fly three Daytona 500 flags aboard an upcoming space shuttle flight. Speedway officials plan to wave one of the flags to begin the 2008 installment of the Daytona 500, while another will be presented to the winning driver. NASA will keep the third. However, it looks unlikely Atlantis will launch in time to ensure the starter flags are back on Earth in time for the Feb. 17 race. The shuttle is currently scheduled to launch on Feb. 7; the date has been moved back several times because of fuel sensor system glitches. Feustel’s mission, slated for August 2008, will include repair work on the Hubble Space Telescope.

The starter's flags for the Daytona 500 were packed carefully for flight. NASA is taking three green starter's flags from the Daytona 500 into space to mark the 50th anniversary of NASA and NASCAR's premiere race. Credit: NASA NASA astronaut Drew Feustel and NASCAR driver Kurt Busch discuss their high-speed professions. Credit: NASA/George Shelton Astronaut Drew Feustel gets ready to drive a NASCAR stock car around the Daytona Speedway. Feustel gets set to drive around the superspeedway. Credit: NASA/George Shelton NASA astronaut Drew Feustel watches NASCAR racers practice at Daytona International Speedway. Feustel previously worked as a mechanic and is a fan of NASCAR. Credit: NASA/George Shelton

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