What does "drafting" refer to in racing?

Drafting refers to the practice of closely following another vehicle, which reduces aerodynamic drag for the car behind. When a car is directly behind another, it can take advantage of the reduced air resistance created by the lead car. This enables the trailing car to maintain higher speeds with less effort, allowing it to conserve fuel and increase acceleration when it chooses to overtake.

In racing, this technique is crucial because it can provide a strategic advantage, especially in high-speed situations like on a straightaway. By utilizing drafting, drivers can increase their chances of staying competitive during a race by maximizing their vehicle's performance and reducing the energy needed to maintain speed.

The other options do not accurately depict what drafting entails. While accelerating to overtake and changing lanes may be part of racing dynamics, they do not encompass the aerodynamic advantage gained through drafting. Spinning out of control, on the other hand, represents a significant loss of control, which is quite contrary to the precision and strategy involved in drafting.