Scale Model of Indy Car Side Pod Tunnel Used for Airflow Testing, 1981

Bobby Unser tested scale model body parts, like this one, to design a better race car. He used a flow bench -- typically used to analyze engine parts -- to determine which design would most effectively push a car closer to the racing surface. This downward force provides greater traction for higher cornering speed. Unser's innovative approach allowed for more development while reducing the amount of full-scale wind tunnel and track testing.