NASCAR Next Gen Cars Unveiled

(CHARLOTTE, NC – MAY 5, 2021 – RIS) Some people will not be pleased, but the new NASCAR Next Gen series of cars got unveiled today by all three manufacturers in Cup Series competition. Multiple changes are coming in nearly all aspects of the cars, from suspension and gearbox to the body and brakes.

One of the most visible changes is the new composite bodies, with all bodies for a manufacturer being identical – no special cars for specific tracks. Tied to this is a limitation of seven cars per team (number, not owner) which should reduce the costs to teams in developing and building the special cars for tracks like Daytona and Talladega.

Symmetrical bodies are a major part of the new car's design as well: the current crop of racers has the rear of the body offset to the right, adding side force to the cars but potentially adding to their susceptibility to aerodynamics in traffic. NASCAR's Steve Phelps said at the unveiling: "this will be more in the hands of the drivers, which all of our fans want. So when you look at the aspects of the car, particularly around the aerodynamics, reducing some of the downforce that’s out there, the cars will be harder to drive in the corners. The composite bodies; NASCAR is all about beating and banging on the racetrack. Less chance for that cut tire that you see under our current design."

NASCAR SVP of racing innovation, John Probst added that: "rubbing is racing, so there will be less of a chance — I’m not saying there won’t be any chance – our drivers can find ways to hit the wall – I think you’ll see when they do that now, there will be less consequence. The body will be more resilient. There are things in there that are more relevant to our OEMs like independent suspension and rack-and-pinion. Steve mentioned the wider, softer tires, a lot more mechanical grip in the car.

"Probably the other key component to this whole thing is these cars can be run on every type of track we go to. You don’t need specialized race cars to go to a superspeedway or a road course."

After decades of racing on the current 15" wheels and tires with five lugs, NASCAR Cup racers will ride on 18x12" forged aluminum BBS wheels secured by a single center lock lug. Obviously, the lower sidewall, wider Goodyear tires will improve handling on all tracks and will provide space for larger brakes provided by AP Racing, with 15" front rotors and 14" rears fitted. Different brake packages will be tailored to the demands of the track.

Aerodynamic changes include a sealed under tray to enhance handling in traffic, with flap vents on the hood to release hot air from under the hoods, while the old cowl induction cold air systems will be replaced by an air inlet in the front of the car, along with the brake, oil cooler and radiator inlets.

More changes include a rear-mounted transaxle five-speed transmission, the independent rear suspension mentioned earlier, a shorter rear deck and smaller 'greenhouse', all changes that make the cars closer to their street equivalents.

Much of the discussion pointed out that the manufacturers and parts suppliers had continuous input in the development of the Next Gen car with drivers testing iterations of the car as it was developed.

Next Gen Car Specs

Length:                                                 193.4”

Width:                                                   78.6”

Height:                                                 50.4”

Wheelbase:                                            110”

Weight:                                                 ~3,300 lbs

Spoiler:                                                 TBD*

Body:                                                    Composite symmetric body featuring integral flap systems, camera mounts and OEM-specific design elements

Underwing:                                           Full carbon undertray w/center stepped splitter and rear diffuser

Chassis:                                                Steel tubing w/bolt-on front and rear clips and front/rear bumpers

Transaxle:                                             5-speed manual sequential with ramp and plate differential

Suspension (Front and rear):                Double wishbone billet aluminum control arms w/adjustable coil over shock absorbers

Steering:                                               Rack and pinion

Wheels:                                                 18” x 12” forged aluminum

Tires:                                                    Goodyear Eagle

Brakes:                                                 Six piston monobloc front calipers / four piston monobloc rear calipers – heavy duty and light duty disc packages

Front Brake Rotors:                              15”

Rear Brake Rotors:                               14”

Engine displacement:                           358 cu in

Induction system:                                Naturally aspirated

Fuel system:                                         Fuel injection

Oil system:                                           Dry sump

Horsepower:                                          TBD*

Engine cooling:                                     Air exits radiator through hood louvers

Exhaust:                                               Split-side exit exhaust

Fuel cell:                                               ~20 gallons (Sunoco Green E15)

* Race package elements to be finalized based on track type and size

Next Gen Car Vendors

Aero Tec Laboratories, Inc.:                  Fuel cell bladder

AP Racing Limited:                               Brake systems

Bald Spot Sports Energy management solutions: (bumper and door foam)

BBS of America, Inc.:                            Wheels

Dallara:                                                 Radiator ducts

Fibreworks Composites, LLC:               Deck lid, hood, rockerbox cooling ducts, underwing

Five Star Race Car Bodies:                   Doors, fenders, front/rear bumper covers, fuel adapter, quarter panels, rear door crush panel, rear wheel tubs, windows

Goodyear:                                             Tires

Hyperco:                                               Springs

Kirkey Racing Fabrication:                   Bumpers

Lentus Composites Limited:                 Propshaft

McLaren:                                              Digital dash, ECU

Ohlins USA, Inc.                                   Dampers

Pro-Fabrication, Inc.:                            Tailpipes

PWR North America:                             Oil cooler, radiator

RCR Manufacturing Solutions, LLC:     Wheel nut

Roush Advanced Composites:               Greenhouse, brake ducts (upright / rotor), front door crush panels, front wheel exhaust cover, package tray, roof hatch, roof flaps, spoiler base

Roush Yates Manufacturing Solutions: Anti-roll bars, shifter, transaxle mounts, uprights / wheel hubs

Schultz Engineered Products:               Fuel adaptor / coupler

Sunoco:                                                Fuel

Technique Chassis, LLC:                       Chassis: front / center / rear, body mounts

Thermal Control Products:                   Fixed window net / driver window net / assemblies

Tilton Engineering, Inc.:                       Bell housing

Visser Precision, LLC:                           Control arms (front / rear)

Woodward Machine Corporation:          Steering rack, steering shaft

Xtrac Inc.:                                            Clutch shaft, driveshafts, transaxle

(all images courtesy NASCAR and the manufacturers)