Are All NASCAR Race Cars The Same?

January 10, 2020

Are all NASCAR race cars the same?

No. There are no two NASCAR race cars that are exactly the same. Even ones from the same team have unique qualities separating them as individual vehicles rather than clones of one another.

On the surface, body composition, decal placement, car number, and color may differ. A more in-depth look will reveal that engines, even those from the same manufacturer have unique qualities that separate the wheat from the chaff.

Weight also varies from one car to the next to conform to the designated driver’s weight. You have to shave certain components to drop the excess weight even if the difference is only in grams.

Handling is different for each car based on the different specs each car has. This is the main reason why NASCAR race cars have to regularly train with their own cars to make the necessary adjustments in their driving styles.

Pit crews are also presented with unique configurations per car that is why they have to set aside the proper equipment per car in anticipation of pit stops during the race. Practice repairs per car are also carried out on a regular basis to speed up their efficiency in carrying out tasks.

To the average onlooker, all of the cars on the race track look and perform in the same manner. To the avid fans, NASCAR race cars are as unique as each individual human being in the world.

NASCAR is an ever-evolving sport and what you see today may not be present in the future.

Not Stuck To Stock

Although stated as stock cars, NASCAR race cars are anything but stock. The only similarities between these cars are the basic construction of an engine, a chassis and a highly modified shell that is far from what the manufacturer’s offer to car buyers.

The stock part that here is that it is based on an existing production car. Everything else is heavily modified.

NASCAR is important to the automotive industry. New technology is introduced each year that improves engine performance, handling, tire combination, body composition, and other automotive technologies. These innovations eventually find themselves in limited or pro-sport models of production cars today.

On the race track, NASCAR race cars have souped-up engines, specific bolt locations, open-block or closed-block iterations, specialized valves and valve placements, additional cooling panels or strategically placed blowers, oil squirters and others.

NASCAR should change its name to NAHMSCAR or National Association of Heavily Modified Stock Car Auto Racing because of this.

Handling and performance is also unique to each NASCAR race car in combination with its driver. The cars and drivers are fit to take advantage of weight and power ratio proportion. If the car driver is too heavy or too light, it messes with the entire car’s performance.

Like professional athletes, NASCAR race cars drivers also have to watch their weight or go on a specific diet. They also go through stress tests, work out regularly and condition their bodies to ensure they are 100% present at all times when they get behind the wheel.

What Is NASCAR?

NASCAR stands for The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing. It is an American auto racing sanctioning and governing body for stock car racing.

Although this was true in the past, it no longer is in today’s standards. The cars racing on the NASCAR circuit are no longer stock and have vast body modifications to enhance their speed and lessen the lap times.

This body began on February 21, 1948. That makes NASCAR 71 years old today. William France Sr., founded NASCAR with the help of other drivers who wanted to make racing a legitimate community event that would drive crowds to attend.

You can trace NASCAR’s roots back to the prohibition era. This was the time when production cars were used to outrun the local law enforcers. This practice eventually became commonplace and instead of for illegal activities, car racing became a community spectacle that led to bigger and bigger races.

NASCAR race cars of today are a far cry from the NASCAR race cars of yesterday.

Anatomy Of A NASCAR Race Car

A NASCAR race car may declare itself to be stock but it definitely is not. These are “spec cars” that are a far cry from the production car they represent. Essential things like front grilles, headlights and tail lights on a production car are non-existent on a NASCAR race car. Take a closer look, they’re just decals. Side mirrors, horns and air conditioning systems? Who needs those?

For starters, all NASCAR race cars are virtually identical to one another save for variations in the body shape and engines.

NASCAR race cars are limited to 358 cubic inch V8 engines to keep the power uniform. Brake rotors are magnetic cast iron or steel and measure at a maximum of 12.72 inches in diameter. There are no Anti-lock brakes, traction control and other handling enhancing performance parts present in these cars.

Chassis And Body Construction

The chassis on NASCAR race cars has to be approved steel tube frame with an installed safety roll cage within.

There is a double frame rail present and energy-absorbing material in between the body panels and the roll cage to absorb impacts.

Windows are non-existent on these performance machines. A net is installed to keep the occupant inside if external force or impacts are presented.

Roof strips and flaps are present to prevent flipping during an accident. To keep the cockpit cool, cooling vents are put in place in strategic locations.

Engine

90-degree pushrod V8 engines measuring 358 CID with overhead valves. Only 2 valves per cylinder is approved. Unrestricted power output is maxed at 865 horsepower. With restrictor plates, 445 hp (For Daytona and Talladega only). Torque should max out at 530 ft-lb . No turbochargers or superchargers allowed. The compression ratio is stated at 12:1.

Transmission:

Four-speed manual

Weight Limit:

Dry: (without driver and fuel) 3200 lbs

Max weight: 3400 (with driver and fuel)

Fuel

Strict fuel rating at E15 or 15% ethanol high-octane racing gasoline by Sunoco. Fuel capacity should max out at 17.75 gallons. Fuel delivery should only be through electronic throttle-body fuel injection.

Wheelbase

Wheelbase should be 110 inches. The total car length should not exceed 208 inches. Vehicle height should not exceed 53.5 inches and width should be kept within the 76.5 inches maximum. Tires used should only be Goodyear slicks.

Handling And Safety

Power steering with a recirculating ball.

HANS has to be installed with a six or seven-point seat belt for the driver.

NASCAR Race cars are also equipped with:

Front splitter

This allows teams to easily tune the front downforce to accommodate peculiar conditions attributed to individual drivers and skills and race tracks.

Brake Air Intake

Forces ambient air into the brake discs and rotors for additional cooling.

Radiator Air Intake

Specialized vents that force air into the radiator to help cool the engine fluids

Body Panels

Fabricated from 24-gauge/0.0247-inch (minimum) cold-rolled sheet metal.

Hood Pins, Windshield Clips, And Escape Hatches

Quick-release metal pins to secure the hood to the engine bay enclosure. Wire tethers are included to reduce the risk of these pins falling when the vehicle is operated or when repairs are made in the pit. Four hood pins in total.

Windshield clips allow for easy removal if the need arises.

As a last resort, a roof hatch is present for faster egress.

Cowl Induction

Air cleaner housing connecting the air intake to the carburetor at the base of the windshield.

Jack Post And Jacking Bolt

Positioned for easy lifting during pit stops.

The jacking bolt improves handling by providing the necessary pressure to the rear wings.

Adjustable rear wings direct the air flowing over the rear of the car to provide better handling and car control.

On-Board Camera

This allows NASCAR fans to see the race from the driver’s perspective.

Differences Between One NASCAR Race Car To Another

The difference between one NASCAR race car to another lies in the body and engine construction. Although NASCAR limits vast modifications, car teams have managed to get around these rules and create truly unique vehicles within the prescribed NASCAR format.

Check the basic anatomy of a NASCAR race car. These components can be manipulated in a manner that improves the overall efficiency of the vehicle.

Car performance is dictated by a combination of all the configurations done to save weight, improve aerodynamics and provide better efficiency. Car driver skill is also important at this point. It takes a special set of characteristics, courage, and motivation to handle these monster machines.

At the very least, the most notable differences are the individual car numbers assigned to each vehicle.

Safety

Safety is one of the biggest priorities NASCAR imposes on all involved. This is especially true for NASCAR race cars drivers. The HANS (Head and Neck Support) Device is the approved safety restraint measure in all cars aside from the prescribed seatbelts.

For drivers and pit crew members, helmets and fire suits must be worn at all times on the race track.

Cars have been fitted with more safety features to ensure fatal accidents do not occur during races.

All oval tracks are equipped with soft walls and use the SAFER barriers to reduce the risk of fatal accidents should cars veer off the path.

NASCAR race cars driving under the Yellow Line Rule to advance in position are subject to penalties. Restrictor plates are also put in place to limit the horsepower and speed generated by these race cars to further reduce fatal accidents.

Qualifying Cars For NASCAR

In order to run the race, you have to qualify your car.

The standard procedure for qualifying is to run a lap and track your best time. You are allowed an unlimited number of attempts to secure the best lap time for yourself.

After each attempt, you are allowed to hook up a cooling system to the engine to hasten the effect through the cowl flap. Raising the hood, making significant adjustments to the car and changing the tires (unless permitted) is not allowed. Tires are only changed if they pose a serious risk to the driver and only with NASCAR’s permission.

Only a select number of cars will be allowed to join the race. Usually, these are the cars with the best lap times. Cars are arranged according to their official lap times at the start of the race.

The “Petty Rule” can only be applied to past champions who are unable to secure a slot due to lacking official times. This is attributed to Richard Petty who was unable to qualify and his exclusion from the race made the number of viewers drop significantly.

NASCAR Rules

As a governing body, NASCAR has set rules to ensure everybody follows proper form.

The car has to conform to the basic anatomy set as a standard by NASCAR. Any deviation must pass the approval of the race officials. Dynamic changes must be enforced across the board to all cars involved.

Needless to say, these rules have been lobbied, contested and revised several times over the course of NASCAR’s lifetime. Changes have been implemented for successful calls to action. Most of these changes are related to safety.

At the end of it all, safety is still the main concern NASCAR truly prioritizes.

The governing body has even banned the promotion of Tobacco products in its bid to enhance public health safety.

Car And Driver Changes

Teams must use a single car from the start of the first practice to the end of the race. In the event of a crash, a backup may be used but it will start at the rear end of the field.

Needless to say, engine and transmission changes are not allowed.

Driver changes are allowed provided that the penalties for doing so relegate the car to the rear.

Heed The Caution Flag

A yellow flag indicates caution. Everything is frozen and cars are meant to line up behind the pace car. Scoring ends until the caution is lifted.

The race restarts when the caution is lifted. Any penalties incurred during the caution period apply.

Flags And What They Mean

Green Flag

Race start or race restarted.

Green And White Checkered Flag

Ends the race stage. Once ten cars have passed through the line, the caution flag is thrown.

Yellow Flag

This is the caution flag. This indicates hazardous situations on the track. All cars must follow the pace car when the caution flag is thrown.

Red Flag

Race is stopped. This is reserved for cataclysmic events.

White Flag

The white flag indicates one more lap for scoring.

Checkered Flag

The race is over.

Black Flag

The driver must pit immediately. This can be attributed to a lot of factors including breaking the rules, posing a road hazard and others.

Black Flag With White Cross

Driver is no longer receiving scores.

Blue Flag With Yellow Stripe

Warns slow drivers that fast cars are approaching

Blue Flag

Exercise care for slowed or stopped cars. This is also for blocked off areas.

NASCAR Penalties

NASCAR, as a governing body has implemented penalties to ensure proper decorum during the race. These stiff penalties affect the outcome of a driver’s position in the race and ultimately the probability of bagging the trophy.

Penalties can result to starting at the tail of the field, multiple lap penalty or the dreaded disqualification from the race.

These things can lead to restarting at the end of the line:

Entering the pit out of order

Entering the pit when the pit is still closed

Speeding into the pit or out (how ironic for a race car not to speed up)

Not falling in line, passing from inside the pit to position one’s self favorably

Driving through three pit boxes before entering a pit stall

Crewmembers going over the wall too soon, leaving equipment unattended and using more than the prescribed number of air wrenches.

Pushing the car past three pit boxes, non-compliant refueling, careless handling of fueling equipment, rolling a tire beyond the center of the pit road.

Stop and Go Penalty

Unauthorized removal of equipment from the assigned pit area

Speeding on pit road during pass-through penalty (again, how ironic for a race car).

Pass-Through Penalty

Jumping the green flag

Illegal lane change

Unauthorized mechanical adjustments.

Failed qualifying attempts and pre-race inspections.

One Lap Penalty

Disobeying a black flag.

Verbally abusing a NASCAR official or intentionally causing a point of caution because of direct disobedience to an official NASCAR request.

Passing the safety car.

Unauthorized pitting and refueling.

Other Notable Penalties

Pre-race Penalties also exist to ensure all NASCAR race cars are in optimal condition on the day of the race.

Damaged cars that cannot be repaired within 5 minutes are disqualified from the race. Using more pit crew members than allowed is also grounds for disqualification.

These rules may seem harsh but the endpoint is to ensure that all NASCAR race cars present on the day are in optimal condition and safety is set as the highest priority. Anything that could go wrong during the race is going to be bad for NASCAR’s over-all image.

Crew Rosters

You can’t win a race alone. You need an entire team behind you, supporting you all the way. For this, you need an entire crew.

Race crews are split into three categories: Organizational, Road Crew and Pit Crew.

Organizational Crew

The organizational crew includes the people working away from the actual race track. Now just because they’re not there in person doesn’t mean they are non-essential. This crew includes the Competition Director, Team Managers, Technical Director and IT Specialists.

These are the brains of the operations and their contribution to the team’s success lies in paying attention to the little details.

Road Crew

The road crew includes the Crew Chief, Car Chief, Mechanics, Engine Tuners, Engineers, Tire Specialists, Aerodynamics Specialists, and Spotters.

These are the people responsible for implementing the changes needed to improve the race car in their hands. These are the guys who get down and dirty while everyone else is in training. Their critical eye is the key to winning race day. Their expertise allows them to work within the set limits NASCAR imposes on all NASCAR race cars.

Pit Crew

You can only have a maximum of five pit crew members. These are: two tire changers, one tire carrier, a jackman and a gas man.

It’s amazing to see a pit crew at work. They can get a car running back into the race track within seconds.

To reach a high level of expertise, pit crews practice endlessly off-season to achieve the desired effects. These are the real heroes on the race track because, without a capable pit crew, a race car is essentially dead.

Drivers Start Your Engines!

There is a pre-race meeting for all drivers. Attendance is mandatory. This is where all the rules are stated, track conditions are noted and specific instructions are given out. And then the national anthem is sung for all in attendance. Prayers for safety are optional.

The start of the race is marked by a mad scramble for all drivers to get in their respective vehicles, strap in and wait for the marshall to call out “Drivers, start your engines!”

With that, the sound of the stadium will reach deafening levels as engines roar to life and the crowd goes wild.

If under caution, the last lap is extended until the race track is cleared. The green flag will signify there are two laps remaining. Should another crash or point of caution occur, the race will again get extended. This ends when the leader crosses the line. All the other cars are required to cross the line and timed.

Winners are allowed to do victory laps or a series of burn-outs before heading to the victory lane for some post-race celebrations and interviews. Yes, showboating is just as important to the race as doing the actual race and everyone, even the losers get to be part of the after-party as a show of sportsmanship.

Going To A NASCAR Race? Make It More Enjoyable With These Tips:

Everyone has to experience going to a NASCAR race at least once in their lifetime. Think of it as a modern pilgrimage for car lovers.

You have to prepare yourself for an exciting day watching NASCAR race cars try to beat each other.

Bring Binoculars

If you’re going for the nosebleed section, you’ll see the entirety of the race track. Well, as much of it as one possibly can. The problem is, you won’t see all of the little details.

Look, even the bigwigs in the best tents bring one. A lot of people are. So don’t think you’ll look like a scout lost in the bleachers with your big binoculars hanging from your neck.

Don’t wear the boy’s scout suit though.

Bring A Good Camera With Telephoto Lens

Want some cool souvenirs? Pictures speak a thousand words. But a regular camera won’t cut it. You need a professional camera that can capture the action on the track perfectly.

Telephoto lens may be big and bulky but the results are worth lugging around a ton of equipment.

You have a good chance of being mistaken as a professional photographer and get a pass to stand nearer to the pit. That’s where the best seats are!

Listen… Don’t Go Deaf At The Races, Bring A Good Set Of Ear Plugs

Here’s an understatement: NASCAR races are loud.

Get a good set of earplugs and reduce the risk of getting tinnitus. That ringing in your ears after the races could open up a whole slew of problems if you don’t have it checked. Better yet, prevention is always better than the cure.

This rule applies to both adults and children. Especially children. The decibel levels at any NASCAR race has the potential of drowning the sound of a jet engine roaring.

Local hardware stores have earplugs that are very affordable. For best results, get a headset. These muffle the sound at a NASCAR race effectively.

Listen To Your Mom, Bring A Raincoat

You can’t predict the weather. Well, you can get a good idea of what the day has in store for you by watching the news but who has time for that? Bring a raincoat. Do not bring an umbrella into the grandstand. It has something to do with blocking other people’s view of the race track.

You don’t want to be that “Annoying Guy With An Umbrella At The Races”

Dress appropriately so that the weather doesn’t get in the way of your enjoyment. Bring an extra set of dry clothes just in case.

Too Much Sun Will Kill You

Save yourself the trouble of having a sunburn. On a more serious note, skin cancer.

Wear a lavish amount of sunscreen because a day at the races can get very hot and not just from the action on the track. Four hours under the heat of the sun and direct exposure to excessively harmful UV rays is never good for anyone.

Not to mention the extreme discomfort you’ll have driving back home like a freshly cooked lobster.

A Word Of Caution: Bring A Seat Cushion

The seats in the stands aren’t meant for comfort. If you’re going to sit there for the whole entirety of the race, bring a seat cushion.

You’re welcome.

Keep Up With A Radio Or A Scanner

Bring a radio or scanner if you want to keep up with what’s happening on the race track. Sometimes the little things can escape you. Having the announcer’s voice at all times in your ears will help you appreciate the race better.

Just slip those headphones inside your ear muffs to drown out the roar of engines and the crowd.

Too Excited? Keep Yourself Hydrated

Don’t want to go home early on a stretcher? Keep yourself hydrated.

Extreme dehydration and heatstroke is one of the main reasons why lots of fans are taken off the stands during a race. Without an umbrella, you’re subjected to the heat of the sun. Add the heat emanating from all the warm bodies surrounding you as the excitement climbs and you have the perfect recipe for disaster.

Keep your cool. Bring lots of liquids. And make sure it isn’t just beer in your ice cooler. Get some water in there too!

Just remember that you can’t bring any liquids inside glass containers. Aluminum cans and plastic bottles only please.

And regarding that cooler, don’t bring one the size of a small refrigerator. This is just a four-hour event. Keep it under 14x14x14 inches.

Don’t Go Broke Because You Got Hungry

The concession stands at any NASCAR event is notorious for having exorbitant prices. Don’t want to go broke because you got hungry? Bring food. Bring lots of food. And don’t forget the water.

In Conclusion:

Attending a NASCAR event is one of the most fun things to do in anyone’s lifetime. Taking in all the sights, sounds and smells is an overwhelming experience that one has to be immersed in to fully understand what all the NASCAR craze is all about.

Although stated as stock cars, the NASCAR race cars are anything but what they are declared to be. Modifications range from body composition, engine configuration, vehicular dry weight, handling components, onboard electronics, and others vary from one car to the other. Like mechanical snowflakes, no two NASCAR race cars are the same.