NASCAR Race Cars Over The Years

Over the years, NASCAR race cars have undergone many changes. As I saw Dale Earnhardt Jr. finishing restoring his dad’s #8 Busch Series Chevy Nova, this past week, it reminded me of the many changes that have gone on in NASCAR. This includes safety and many other aspects of the car. So, without further ado, let’s take a history lesson in the world of NASCAR.

Generation 1, 1948-1966: During the 1920’s, the United States passed a nationwide ban on Alcohol. While most obeyed this law, many did not, and were referred to as “Bootleggers”. These Bootleggers would put bigger engines in their cars so that they could outrun the cops, and modify them even more so their they could hold more moonshine. By the end of World War 2, cars were in short supply and prohibition had been repealed, so what did they do with these fast cars? Well, they raced them against each other, and thus the sport of NASCAR was born. Notable cars during this era was the “Fabulous Hudson Hornet”.

Generation 2, 1967-1980: In 1967, the rules for the cars changed quite a bit. The cars were required to have a stock body, and a modified chassis as well. This is also the time when aerodynamics were taken into consideration, with cars starting to develop spoilers. These spoilers could be small or a big “wing” in the case of the Dodge Daytona’s. You might remember this from the character “The King” from the movie Cars. The Daytona would also be the first car to break the 200mph barrier in 1970 with Buddy Baker behind the wheel.

Generation 3, 1981-1991: In 1981, the wheel base was reduced to 110 inches and NASCAR decided to downsize the cars to make them resemble the cars on the showroom floor. Teams were also starting to work on the engines more, as there was no restrictions on power at the time. In 1987, driver Bill Elliott set a NASCAR record that stills stands today, posting a qualifying speed of 212 MPH.

Generation 4, 1992-2007: Starting in 1992, NASCAR race cars had to fit a certain template, which meant that body modifications were a thing of the past. Race teams also started to take advantage of the wind tunnel. By the end of the Generation 4, these cars did not look like the cars on the showroom floor.

Generation 5, 2007-2010 The Car of Tomorrow: Following the death of Dale Earnhardt in 2001, NASCAR promised fans and drivers that they would make the cars safer. Beginning in 2007, the COT shared a part-time schedule with the Gen-4 cars. The COT was taller and put the driver in more of a centralized position to prevent injuries from side impacts. Drivers were not fans of these cars, as they are most noticeable by their sport “wing” type spoiler.

Generation 5.1 2010-2010: After a few scary rollovers and crashes, NASCAR decided to get rid of the winged rear spoiler as it caused the cars to lift up and fly when turned backwards. With the “Generation 5.2” modification, NASCAR also fixed the nose of the car. Fans were speechless and excited to see the cars return to the normal NASCAR type spoilers.

Generation 6, 2013-2022: These cars are well known for looking like their showroom counterpart, but also like a very fast stock car. This Generation has undergone many changes, which have helped it with it’s success in the long run.

Pictured below is NASCAR's Next-Gen car, and will begin hitting the racetrack in 2022.

#NASCAR #iamnascar