Funny Car Aerodynamics
 

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a4...-24-28_405.jpg
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a4...-24-12_365.jpg
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a4...-24-03_954.jpg

Just a few pics showing the aero features of Funny Car Dragsters.

Gurney flaps or lips
 

Great examples of leading edge wheel wells - using Gurney flaps.
AAR Feature Story: The Gurney Flap

with such wide fenders... why not use wheel skirts and paint the tires on like they do with the headlamps.

question is, what are they for? improved cooling, downforce, drag reduction...

I'd love to see painted on wheels. :D But, of course, they have to be able to see the wheels easily on video.....

What if they need to change the tires at the pit stop ? Wheel skirts would be too much of a hassle imo.

good point if it's a race car, and the additional time to open the cover cancels out the gains in lap times.

i thought this was a drag racer so i think maintenance time is of no importance to the race

What strikes me is the curved rear edge of the wheel well. Nice for smooth reattachment.

And, front wheel well then acts as a Venturi, sucking cooling air out from the engine bay and brake disk, for better and more efficient cooling drag.

I'd call it an air dam for the wheel well :)

Cooling is irrelevant other than for the brakes during coast down after the race, since there is no radiator (except in the pro stock cars and motorcycles).