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and monitors. The wheel layout is designed
to let a man moving 150 miles per hour main-
tain his concentration on the road while still
being able to manipulate the computer and
electronic functions of the car.
The stock cars of NASCAR are not as tech-
nical as Formula 1 machines, but tech still
plays a huge part in the popular racing se-
ries. In the old days, racers kept track of their
fuel use with a dial or a chalkboard. Today,
computers take information beamed directly
from the moving car and constantly adjust
fuel readings to help teams know when it’s
time to make a pit stop. Today’s hard-charg-
ing, step-on-the-gas drivers have to know as
much about computer controls as about how
to make a slingshot pass.
TEXT-DEPENDENT QUESTIONS
1. How did the design of the new World Cup
ball help players?
2. What condition are new football helmet
designs aiming to reduce or control?
3. How has tech helped cyclists ride faster?
RESEARCH PROJECTS
Time for a workout! Put on a wool sweater and
jeans and run a mile or play some basketball.
Then do the same thing in synthetic gear. Feel
the difference? Can you take measurements
of your temperature, time, or comfort level to
compare playing in the two types of gear?
GEAR