Maths lesson for Michigan...

If you're a maths phobic, Sunday's Pepsi 400 at Michigan International Speedway may not be the race for you. Talk of downforce counts, drag coefficients and valance heights are joined by discussion of points standings, average finishing positions and lap times. "Maths, not racing, takes centre stage at Michigan. So pay attention, especially you there in the back."

For instance, the Pontiac camp received a half-inch kickout to the front valance on the nose of their race cars. That means the leading edge of the Pontiac's front air dam must not extend more than one-and-a-half inches forward of the bumper. The rule change should give the Pontiac teams more front downforce, a term used to describe the amount of wind pressure on an object. "Counts" are the measuring increments used to determine how little or how much downforce actually exists.

"I hope you're writing all of this down, because there will be a test."

You'll also hear teams talk of drag coefficients, and how slippery their race car is through the wind. With Michigan being a fast two-mile oval, a good drag coefficient is key. The smaller the drag number you have, the better your car is aerodynamically. The drag coefficient is a number that aerodynamicists use to model all of the complex tendencies of drag on shape, inclination and flow conditions. The equation is simply a rearrangement of the drag equation where we solve for the drag coefficient in terms of variables. The drag coefficient (Cd) is equal to the drag (D) divided by the quantity: density (r) times half the velocity (V) squared times the reference area (A).

"Simple enough, right? Okay, moving on..."

Points. It's really what NASCAR Winston Cup Series racing is all about. Finish the season with the most points, and the big trophy and $3 million check are yours. Heading into Michigan, the points race is extremely tight, with just 106 points separating the top-five, while 14 races remain on the schedule.