Hi everyone.
Coming from outside the US I don't have a great depth of knowledge about some of your car culture, in this case NASCAR.
In looking at photos of early '50s 88s being raced I see them often with tape around the nose, but am struggling to understand it. I have worked out that modern NASCARs tape up, especially in qualifying, to deliberately block airflow and generate downforce. But that doesn't make sense to me back in the day as there seem to be pictures of them racing taped up, and the tape leaves open the main grill; and somehow sophisticated aerodynamics didn't seem to play any other role back then. Was it something to do with keeping sand and cinder out?

 

I would guess to cut down on chips in the paint from sand and dirt.

 

Grill tape was used to adjust the operating temperature of the engine.

 

Grill tape is still used to adjust temp. Just less is used. Speeds in 50s made aero less important. I also think those cars were so factory stock may have had all trim and headlights still in place. It is a fact that Lee petty and others got car from dealer, drove to track then raced.

 

Wasn't used on the grill in the op picturesWe all know why it was used in the grill area and other area's for aero.