{"version":"1.0.0","episode":{"title":"How Indy Went From 150 To Nearly 200 MPH!","url":"http://getcarcurious.com/episodes/how-indy-went-from-150-to-nearly-200-mph","audioUrl":"https://pdcn.co/e/www.buzzsprout.com/246908/episodes/19269187-how-indy-went-from-150-to-nearly-200-mph.mp3","description":"Indy didn’t just get faster in the 1960s, it transformed. We’re joined by racing author and veteran journalist Rick Saffer to unpack the Indianapolis 500 era from 1962 to 1972, when track records fell at a shocking pace and the Speedway became a live laboratory for IndyCar engineering. We talk about the people who shaped it, the cars that redefined it, and why that decade still explains so much about modern American open-wheel racing.Rick takes us through the biggest technology shifts at Indianapolis Motor Speedway: the move from front-engine roadsters to rear-engine machines, the turbocharged horsepower surge, the growing influence of aerodynamics, and the arrival of slick tires. We also dig into the human side of racing history, from unforgettable team identities like STP to what it’s really like interviewing icons such as A J Foyt, and why a well-timed approach matters when drivers are under pressure.Then we pivot to today’s road cars with a clear, practical breakdown of four-wheel steering (all-wheel steering): how rear wheels can steer opposite the fronts for tight maneuvers, then steer in parallel for high-speed stability, plus the real-world downsides like complexity and repair cost. To round it out, we share go-karting driving destinations around Houston, from old-school outdoor tracks to more advanced facilities with league racing, coaching, and serious lap-time focus.If you love Indy 500 history, IndyCar technology, car culture, and hands-on driving fun, hit subscribe, share this with a racing friend, and leave us a review so more people can find the show.Be sure to subscribe for more In Wheel Time Car Talk!The Lupe' Tortilla RestaurantsLupe Tortilla in Katy, Texas Gulf Coast Auto ShieldPaint protection, tint, and more!Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.----  ----- Want more In Wheel Time car talk any time?     In Wheel Time is now available on Audacy!  Just go to Audacy.com/InWheelTime where ever you are.-----   -----Be sure to subscribe on your favorite podcast provider for the next episode of In Wheel Time Podcast and check out our live multiplatform broadcast every Saturday, 10a - 12nCT simulcasting on Audacy, YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, Twitch and InWheelTime.com.In Wheel Time Podcast can be heard on you mobile device from providers such as:Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music Podcast, Spotify, SiriusXM Podcast, iHeartRadio podcast, TuneIn + Alexa, Podcast Addict, Castro, Castbox, YouTube Podcast and more on your mobile device.Follow InWheelTime.com for the latest updates!Twitter: https://twitter.com/InWheelTimeInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/inwheeltime/https://www.youtube.com/inwheeltimehttps://www.Facebook.com/InWheelTimeFor more information about In Wheel Time Podcast, email us at info@inwheeltime.com"},"annotations":[{"startTime":517.3,"endTime":522.3,"type":"term","title":"turbocharged","url":"/glossary/turbocharged","quote":"Uh by 1969. Uh by 1970, every engine was turbocharged, and there were no limits.","canonicalId":"term:turbocharged","priority":0.6,"confidence":0.85,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"“Turbocharged” engines use a turbocharger to force more air into the engine, allowing more power from the same displacement. In the Indy era described here, turbocharging helped teams push horsepower higher as speeds climbed.","simplifiedExplanation":"A turbocharged engine uses a device that forces extra air into the engine. More air usually means more power, which is why turbos are common in high-speed racing."}},{"startTime":522.3,"endTime":536.7,"type":"term","title":"aerodynamics","url":"/glossary/aerodynamics","quote":"Uh by 1970, every engine was turbocharged, and there were no limits. Uhthey were getting more than a thousand horsepower, you know, by the early 70s, and then uh the aerodynamics came into play, and of course, with that, we also had slick tires for the first time.","canonicalId":"term:aerodynamics","priority":0.65,"confidence":0.75,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"In racing, “aerodynamics” is how airflow around the car affects drag and downforce. As speeds rose toward 200 mph, aerodynamic efficiency became crucial for stability and for keeping the car controllable through turns.","simplifiedExplanation":"Aerodynamics is how the shape of the car interacts with the air. In racing, it matters because it can either slow the car down (drag) or help it stick to the track (downforce)."}},{"startTime":526.7,"endTime":536.7,"type":"term","title":"slick tires","url":"/glossary/slick-tires","quote":"Uh they were getting more than a thousand horsepower, you know, by the early 70s, and then uh the aerodynamics came into play, and of course, with that, we also had slick tires for the first time.","canonicalId":"term:slick-tires","priority":0.7,"confidence":0.9,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"“Slick tires” are racing tires with no tread pattern, designed to maximize the tire’s contact patch with the road surface. In high-speed eras like early IndyCar/Indy racing, slicks significantly improved grip, which enabled higher cornering speeds and better overall control.","simplifiedExplanation":"Slick tires are race tires with no tread grooves. That lets them make more rubber contact with the track, which usually means better grip for faster driving."}},{"startTime":568.7,"endTime":578.1,"type":"term","title":"ground effects","url":"/glossary/ground-effects","quote":"Probably the main thing that helped the safety-wise was when they went to the ground effects, they put the fuel tank behind the driver, so suddenly fire's no longer an issue that it had once been.","canonicalId":"term:ground-effects","priority":0.75,"confidence":0.9,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"“Ground effects” are aerodynamic tricks that use the car’s underbody and the airflow near the track surface to create downforce. In IndyCar/Indy-style racing, adding ground-effect aerodynamics helps the car stay planted at high speed, which can improve safety by reducing loss-of-control crashes.","simplifiedExplanation":"“Ground effects” are design features under a race car that use the air under the car to push it down onto the track. More downforce means the car grips better, so it’s less likely to slide out at high speed."}},{"startTime":568.7,"endTime":578.1,"type":"term","title":"fuel tank behind the driver","url":"/glossary/fuel-tank-behind-the-driver","quote":"Probably the main thing that helped the safety-wise was when they went to the ground effects, they put the fuel tank behind the driver, so suddenly fire's no longer an issue that it had once been.","canonicalId":"term:fuel-tank-behind-the-driver","priority":0.55,"confidence":0.8,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"Moving the fuel tank “behind the driver” is a safety packaging change intended to reduce the chance that a crash directly exposes the driver to fire. In high-speed racing, where impacts can rupture fuel systems, relocating the tank can significantly lower fire risk to the cockpit.","simplifiedExplanation":"Putting the fuel tank behind the driver is meant to keep fuel farther from the driver’s body during crashes. That can reduce the chances of a fire reaching the cockpit."}},{"startTime":578.1,"endTime":592.5,"type":"term","title":"carbon fiber","url":"/glossary/carbon-fiber","quote":"Anduh,you know, the the materials, the carbon fiber is much better than the aluminum or than the honeycombaluminum they use for the tubs.","canonicalId":"term:carbon-fiber","priority":0.45,"confidence":0.7,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"“Carbon fiber” is a lightweight composite material used in race car tubs/chassis structures. Compared with aluminum and honeycomb aluminum, carbon fiber can offer better strength-to-weight and energy management in crashes, which helps both performance and safety.","simplifiedExplanation":"Carbon fiber is a strong but lightweight material made from fibers bonded together. Race cars use it to save weight and help protect the driver in crashes."}},{"startTime":595.8,"endTime":611.4,"type":"term","title":"safer barrier","url":"/glossary/safer-barrier","quote":"And of course, uh, you know, the Speedway was the first to use this, what they call the safer barrier, which is really, you know, you wouldn't think that it would it would it's cushioning the effect of their when they're hitting the wall, as long as they're hitting solid concrete, not you know, no give any way.","canonicalId":"term:safer-barrier","priority":0.6,"confidence":0.9,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"The “safer barrier” is a track safety wall designed to reduce the forces of a crash. Instead of being a rigid wall, it uses energy-absorbing construction so that when a car hits it, the impact is less severe than hitting solid concrete.","simplifiedExplanation":"A safer barrier is a crash wall built to absorb energy. The goal is to make impacts less violent than hitting a hard, unyielding wall."}},{"startTime":1216.7,"endTime":1231.3,"type":"term","title":"AWS","url":"/glossary/aws","quote":"Uh four-wheelsteering or four WS is all-wheelsteering, uh AWS is all-wheelsteering, relatively common, but all-wheelsteering uh does have uh certain benefits and also has certain things that you really don't want to get involved in.","canonicalId":"term:aws","priority":0.8,"confidence":0.9,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"AWS stands for all-wheel steering, a steering system where both front and rear wheels can be directed. The key idea is that the rear wheels steer in a coordinated way with the front wheels to balance maneuverability and stability.","simplifiedExplanation":"AWS is a name for a system where the car can steer with both the front and rear wheels. It’s designed to help the car turn and stay stable."}},{"startTime":1264.2,"endTime":1271.8,"type":"term","title":"drive-by-wire systems","url":"/glossary/drive-by-wire-systems","quote":"Thesedrive-by-wiresystems usuallyhavenophysicallinkagebetweenthesteeringwheelandtherearwheels,unlikeearliermechanical. [1271.8s] That's comforting to know.","canonicalId":"term:drive-by-wire-systems","priority":0.75,"confidence":0.88,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"Drive-by-wire systems replace traditional mechanical linkages with electronic controls. In steering applications, that means the steering wheel’s input is translated into signals that command actuators to move the wheels, rather than using a direct physical connection.","simplifiedExplanation":"Drive-by-wire means the car uses electronics instead of cables or rods to control things. For steering, your steering input becomes signals that tell the system how to move the wheels."}},{"startTime":1274.9,"endTime":1289.8,"type":"term","title":"rearsteering vehicles","url":"/glossary/rearsteering-vehicles","quote":"Well, since all cars front wheels are steered in the front wheel, uh handsome rear are referred to as rearsteering vehicles, that would be like a forklift or a rear skid turning uh device, uh, but not strictly correct. [1289.8s] It refersto a vehicle that has fixed front wheels and steered by the rear wheelsonly, such as a forklift truck, as just stated.","canonicalId":"term:rearsteering-vehicles","priority":0.55,"confidence":0.82,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"Rearsteering vehicles are vehicles where steering is effectively handled by the rear wheels only, with fixed front wheels. The host contrasts this with four-wheel/all-wheel steering, noting that rearsteering is different from the coordinated front-and-rear steering used on passenger cars.","simplifiedExplanation":"Rearsteering vehicles steer using the back wheels only, while the front wheels stay fixed. It’s not the same as a normal car where the front and rear wheels work together."}},{"startTime":1296.24,"endTime":1304.6,"type":"term","title":"four-wheel steering","url":"/glossary/four-wheel-steering","quote":"Now,four-wheelsteeringisusedmostpopularuhtohandleonthebestsportscarsandmaneuverabilityofsomeofthebiggestSUVsandtruckmodels. It'sagreatwaytoaidthehandlingofalargeheavy-dutytruckoralargeheavy-dutySUV,andappearstobemorenimbleandagileastheywouldotherwisebe.","canonicalId":"term:four-wheel-steering","priority":0.85,"confidence":0.95,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"Four-wheel steering is a chassis system where both the front and rear wheels can steer. That lets the car change direction more easily at low speeds and stabilize more effectively at higher speeds, improving maneuverability and handling balance.","simplifiedExplanation":"Four-wheel steering is when not just the front wheels turn— the rear wheels can turn too. That helps the car turn tighter and feel more agile, especially when it’s heavy."}},{"startTime":1324.7,"endTime":1335.0,"type":"term","title":"front wheel steering","url":"/glossary/front-wheel-steering","quote":"Well,wejusttalkedalittlebitaboutthat,butmainlythefrontwheelsteeringuhsteersitwhiletherearwheelsprovidethemotivativeforceinthatdirection. Souhyou'resaying,well,uhwhatkindofcarsdoweusuallygetthemon?","canonicalId":"term:front-wheel-steering","priority":0.75,"confidence":0.7,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"Front wheel steering refers to the front axle being actively steered to set the vehicle’s direction. In four-wheel steering systems, the front wheels typically steer in a coordinated way with the rear wheels to achieve the desired turn behavior.","simplifiedExplanation":"Front wheel steering just means the front wheels are the ones doing the turning. In a four-wheel steering setup, the rear wheels coordinate with the front wheels to help the car turn better."}},{"startTime":1324.7,"endTime":1335.0,"type":"term","title":"rear wheels","url":"/glossary/rear-wheels","quote":"Well,wejusttalkedalittlebitaboutthat,butmainlythefrontwheelsteeringuhsteersitwhiletherearwheelsprovidethemotivativeforceinthatdirection. Souhyou'resaying,well,uhwhatkindofcarsdoweusuallygetthemon?","canonicalId":"term:rear-wheels","priority":0.75,"confidence":0.55,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"In the context of four-wheel steering, the rear wheels are part of the steering coordination, not just the propulsion. The idea is that rear wheel steering helps control the vehicle’s direction and turning response along with the front wheels.","simplifiedExplanation":"Here, the rear wheels aren’t just pushing the car—they’re also involved in how the car turns. That coordination is what makes four-wheel steering feel more responsive."}},{"startTime":1341.6,"endTime":1349.1,"type":"term","title":"turning radius","url":"/glossary/turning-radius","quote":"Uhit'sareportthattheuhdifferentspeedsanddifferentuhturningradiuses,whichuhareverylimitedonsomeoftheseaswell. Someofthedisadvantagesyou'relookingatthecost.","canonicalId":"term:turning-radius","priority":0.7,"confidence":0.9,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"Turning radius is the tightest circular path a vehicle can make while turning. Four-wheel steering can reduce effective turning radius, which improves low-speed maneuverability like parking and navigating tight streets.","simplifiedExplanation":"Turning radius is how tight a car can turn. A smaller turning radius means it can make sharper turns, which is handy in parking lots and city driving."}},{"startTime":1352.4,"endTime":1359.0,"type":"term","title":"out of warranty","url":"/glossary/out-of-warranty","quote":"Now,ifyouhavethesystem,ifyouweretobuyitonacarnowadays,you'relookingataboutafivegrandoptionforthis. Ifitwastogooutofwarrantyanditbreaks,you'relookinganywherebetweena$1,800minimumrepairpercornerorjustareplacementof$3,500percorner.","canonicalId":"term:out-of-warranty","priority":0.65,"confidence":0.85,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"“Out of warranty” means the vehicle is no longer covered by the manufacturer’s warranty terms for repairs. That matters because complex systems like four-wheel steering can become expensive to fix when failures occur after coverage ends."}},{"startTime":1375.1,"endTime":1377.6,"type":"term","title":"malfunction","url":"/glossary/malfunction","quote":"Yeah. Andofcourse,uhoneoftheotherpartsisthemalfunction. Ifonepartofitgoesdown,thenthentheyallgodown.","canonicalId":"term:malfunction","priority":0.6,"confidence":0.8,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"A malfunction is when a component or system stops working as intended. In a coordinated steering system, a malfunction in one part can trigger broader loss of function or cascading issues across the system.","simplifiedExplanation":"A malfunction means something in the car isn’t working correctly. With complex systems, one failure can sometimes cause other parts to stop working too."}},{"startTime":1385.1,"endTime":1391.0,"type":"brand","title":"Audi","url":"/glossary/audi","quote":"VariousAudis,variousBMWs,Ferraris,Lamborghinis,Porschemodels,andyoucanstillgetittotoday. YoucangetalotofthemthroughMercedes.","canonicalId":"brand:audi","priority":0.25,"confidence":0.9,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"Audi is a German luxury brand mentioned here as offering vehicles that can be equipped with four-wheel steering. The point of the mention is that this technology isn’t limited to one manufacturer.","simplifiedExplanation":"Audi is a luxury car brand. The host is saying that some Audi models can be optioned with four-wheel steering."}},{"startTime":1385.1,"endTime":1391.0,"type":"brand","title":"BMW","url":"/glossary/bmw","quote":"VariousAudis,variousBMWs,Ferraris,Lamborghinis,Porschemodels,andyoucanstillgetittotoday. YoucangetalotofthemthroughMercedes.","canonicalId":"brand:bmw","priority":0.25,"confidence":0.9,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"BMW is a German luxury brand mentioned as having vehicles that can be equipped with four-wheel steering. It’s used as an example to show the system appears across multiple high-end performance and luxury lines.","simplifiedExplanation":"BMW is a luxury car brand. The host is listing BMW among brands that offer four-wheel steering on some models."}},{"startTime":1391.0,"endTime":1396.3,"type":"brand","title":"Mercedes","url":"/glossary/mercedes","quote":"YoucangetalotofthemthroughMercedes. Mercedesdoofferitasanoptionwhenyougointhereandlookatthosecars. AndMikejustclickedonit.","canonicalId":"brand:mercedes","priority":0.2,"confidence":0.85,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"Mercedes is referenced as a brand that offers four-wheel steering as an option on some vehicles. The host’s point is that you can still find it when shopping those cars.","simplifiedExplanation":"Mercedes is a luxury car brand. The host says Mercedes offers four-wheel steering as an option on some models."}}],"speakers":[{"id":"s1","name":"In Wheel Time Podcast | Automotive talk with Don Armstrong","role":"host"},{"id":"s2","name":"Michael Marrs","role":"host"},{"id":"s3","name":"Jeff Dziekan","role":"host"}],"transcripts":[{"url":"http://getcarcurious.com/episodes/how-indy-went-from-150-to-nearly-200-mph/transcript.vtt","type":"text/vtt"}]}