CHARLOTTE, NC – The curtain rose, spewing smoke, and three NASCAR Cup Series Next Gen cars made a dramatic, roaring entrance on the display floor at the unveiling.
The first assumption was clear. When Cup champion Elliott parked the Chevrolet Camaro, Joey Logano, the Ford Mustang and Denny Hamlin about 30 yards from the Toyota Camry, it turned out to be the much-awaited car next year, with the biggest being the new The number of race cars was similar to their production counterparts – and how easy it was to separate the new vehicles from each other.
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“This is an important moment for our sport,” NASCAR President Steve Phelps said during the introduction of Next Gen Cars. “This car is more relevant and includes more innovation than any car in NASCAR history. The styling of the car is clear. I mean, they look incredible. Just being here at the end is incredible.
“We really wanted to make a promise that we made to the fans, which is to put the ‘stock’ back in the ‘car’.” This was extremely important for us and our fans. But for our fans it is important to just race on the race track. It is hard to believe that racing can be stronger than last year and this year is the first 11 races, but this car has features that will make it even better.
Simply put, this car will make our sport healthy and strong. It is an exciting day for our industry and our fans, and I am proud of all the work it has brought us today. “
Based on data obtained from simulations and limited testing of small numbers of Next Gen vehicles, NASCAR expects the new race car to be more challenging to drive and more exciting to race. As Elliott has said, it is a clean slate for the best stock car drivers in the world.
“I am excited about the product that we brought and have teamed up with all our key partners at Chevrolet within the NASCAR teams to create a product that looks as good as it is like a car and a camaro. Chevrolet can also go shopping at the dealership, ”Elliott said. “Are excited about this.
“Selfishly, as a driver, I am excited about the challenge. I think it’s going to be tough. There are going to be things with this car that I have not yet seen as a race car driver. By the time you get on track and work through it, it’s going to be tough. I am looking forward to all those things, trying to reinforce myself as a driver, to see what you need to do to be good. “
At the unveiling, fans were greeted with a race car that showcases a lower roof line; A long, smooth hooded area; A small, racer rear deck lid area; More effectively protected wheels that feature a single central braid instead of the five lug studs currently used.
There are additional features hidden from view that bring the next gen car closer to modern production vehicles.
“The car itself, as an engineer, racer, first of all, I love everything you can’t see today,” said Mark Rashbrook, Ford Performance Motorsports global director. “The new architecture is pushing it forward, making it more modern – independent rear suspension, (rack-and-pinion) steering system, driveline, power train as an opportunity to progress our world to electric trains of the future Changes – it’s all made up in this case. We’re really excited about it.
“The biggest thing is what you can see today and what the fans will see on the track. As a racing fan, I can’t wait to see 40 of these on the track. This is the body, what we are able to do with the new proportions for it. It screams ‘Mustang’ to me, just the proportions of the car. They are Mustang proportions – with low ceilings, long hoods, small decks. He immediately jumps. “
The Next Gen car was originally introduced for 2021, but was delayed for a year due to the coronavirus epidemic. Even though the car will not race competitively until the Speedweeks at Daytona in February 2022, it has already had an impact on NASCAR attracting new ownership for its flagship series.
“I think you’ve heard it from the likes of Michael Jordan, Denny Hamlin from 23XI Racing,” Phelps said. “We’ve heard it from Justin Marks and Pitbull’s Trackhouse Racing, and live fast racing with Matt Tifft and BJ McLeod. Owning the eagerness to get into the sport. I think this car and the importance of this car, which It represents what it is in the heart. “
Hamlin corroborated Phelps’ claim, noting that there is potential for the simultaneous development of the Next Gen car, promoting definitions among organizations.
“It’s a fascinating time to get into the game, obviously,” said Heblin, who partnered with Jordan in the field of cars for Bubba Wallace this year. “It was a big factor in our decisions, will be a part of our decisions going forward.
“We have a reset in technology and resources that are going into this car. We are not at a 20- to 30-year loss by coming into the game. We are all developing it at the same time in our early existence. “
However, the next gen car is not yet a feature. Testing is to be done with a large number of cars on the track, with many cars simultaneously having an eye toward analyzing the aerodynamic aspects of racing. Important racing aspects such as horsepower and spoiler size are still to be decided.
NASCAR Executive Vice President and Chief Racing Development Officer, Steve O’Donnell said, “We have trials coming up in August (we’ll see Daytona with many cars on track for the first time.” “) And then as soon as you finish the season Moving quickly towards – October, I believe – we will have teams from both (Charlotte) Rowell and Elliptical races with several cars on each track.
“And then after Phoenix (in November), we’ll dial in with the race teams as well as several cars on the track. There’s nothing solid yet for Daytona around that January deadline, but they’ll be what There will be many cars later this year. “
Reid Spencer writes for NASCAR Wire Service.
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