NASCAR isn’t what it used to be—racing dirt tracks in steel-bodied, tuned cars is a thing of the past now. What NASCAR stands for today is innovative racing. Over the recent years, the organization has made significant strides in terms of equipment, and that will most likely continue in the future as well.
Recently, a prominent champion racing mechanic dropped a breadcrumb, hinting at another “evolution” to shake up the industry.
Eminent Racer/Mechanic Hints the Arrival of ‘Evolved’ Next-Gen Cars in NASCAR
Change is inevitable, and it’s the name of the game for premier racing leagues like NASCAR. The Stock Car Racing giant has never shied away from experimentation, from bending long-followed race traditions to introducing new formats.
Change is now a part of its DNA. Just think about the Chicago Street race. The sport has drastically changed over the years, for both good and bad. However, the race cars are one area where NASCAR has hit the mark.
The current Gen-7 car feels like a quantum leap after ditching the old steel-framed cars and adding new aero kits from its predecessor, the Gen-6. Cars are now safer and can take a pounding, not to mention the electronics add-ons and independent suspensions these cars have.
An enthusiast’s tweet recently sparked widespread speculation about another radical change. He wrote, “I’m just thinking out loud here, but could we be looking at a new car generation in 2028? 2029?”
Responding to this query, racing pundit and master mechanic Jozi Tatarveic replied, “I would expect an evolution of the current Cup car to happen around 2028 or so, to go along with an updated engine formula.”
His tweet indicates that the next generation of cars will have an updated engine and a body tweak.
Each Next-Gen race car has over 60 sensors, collecting data from the engine, tires, and exterior. This data is amplified and transmitted to the relay system at every track through a UHF (Ultra-High Frequency) radio wave.
This data is then passed on to MDC (Mobile Data Centers), made available to NASCAR, after which they follow it up with individual teams. Furthermore, the organization has been quietly testing its EV prototype in close association with ABB, a global leader in electrification and automation.
However, the current Next-Gen platform, implemented in 2022, will run its course before another major update shakes up the market. Although the current cars are superior to their predecessors, veterans, and aficionados were quick to point out their underlying flaws.
Frequent tire failures, stiff rear impacts, and tricky aero are some issues the sanctioning body will have to iron out in the coming years before they roll out the Gen-8 cars.