The Nascar Thread (2 Viewers)

[superchuck500]

True, but also it puts crew members in harms way for a shorter time.

Shorter time and fewer projectiles. Those things are dangerous when they get spun up by a car revving out of the pit box. The other safety issue is fewer loose lug nuts on the track.

But I read the main driver is that they wanted to go to 18” aluminum wheels. The manufacturers wanted bigger wheels to look like the street cars and aluminum is lighter and cheaper for the teams. But given the torque there’s too much chance for deformity with an 18” alum wheel and five lugs. The single lug was really the only way to do it.

 

[superchuck500]

Already faster

 

[DaveXA]

Shorter time and fewer projectiles. Those things are dangerous when they get spun up by a car revving out of the pit box. The other safety issue is fewer loose lug nuts on the track.

But I read the main driver is that they wanted to go to 18” aluminum wheels. The manufacturers wanted bigger wheels to look like the street cars and aluminum is lighter and cheaper for the teams. But given the torque there’s too much chance for deformity with an 18” alum wheel and five lugs. The single lug was really the only way to do it.

That's pretty interesting. Also less chance of a wheel vibration due to a loose lug nut. I remember seeing that happen a couple of times this season. They showed where the nut shredded the wheel where the nut is seated. Shouldn’t be an issue with the single nut.

 

[Devildog]

Are these next gen cars supposed to be closer to the real production cars?

 

[superchuck500]

Are these next gen cars supposed to be closer to the real production cars?

No, they’re still a Nascar spec race car from the ground-up. But the manufacturers are still very involved and put a lot of money into the sport. They like for the cars to resemble cars they sell and fans like for the cars to resemble cars they can go buy (even though it’s purely superficial).

 

[DaveXA]

No, they’re still a Nascar spec race car from the ground-up. But the manufacturers are still very involved and put a lot of money into the sport. They like for the cars to resemble cars they sell and fans like for the cars to resemble cars they can go buy (even though it’s purely superficial).

There's nothing stock about stock car racing right?

 

[superchuck500]

There's nothing stock about stock car racing right?

It’s been decades.

 

[DaveXA]

It’s been decades.

Yeah, I always thought it was a misnomer. Maybe was legit back in the day, but yeah, it's been a long while.

 

[superchuck500]

Dude, if I get my 5 car back on the track and it's black and gold?! That would be .

(This is just a concept):

 

[DaveXA]

Dude, if I get my 5 car back on the track and it's black and gold?! That would be .

(This is just a concept):

I'm a fan. Let's go!

 

[DaveXA]

Hurry up 2021 Nascar season! Here's a Bernie.

 

[superchuck500]

Welp, it's that time again - time to go racing. What will 2021 bring? The NextGen car was pushed back to 2022 due to Covid so we get another year of the current car and rules package is basically the same (750hp low downforce for most tracks). Qualifying formats of one form or another will occur at just eight races - the rest will be like the 2020 Covid rules (that actually weren't bad).

NASCAR announced Thursday its rules package slate for the 2021 Cup Series season, a day after next year’s schedule was unveiled.

For returning tracks to the 36-race schedule, the rules are largely unchanged save for Darlington Raceway.

Cup teams will use the 750 horsepower, low downforce race package at the 1.366-mile track. It’s the package that’s been used this season on road courses and short tracks. Nashville Superspeedway, the 1.333-mile track being added in 2021, will use the same package.

The packages for the other new race tracks – Road America, Circuit of the Americas and the Indy road course – have not been decided on.

“We constantly review the race packages to try to put on the best possible racing for our fans,” John Probst, NASCAR’s Senior Vice Presiden of Innovation and Racing Development said in a media release. “When he brought in the short track / road course package this season, Darlington was not part of it due to its unique size. We’ve been evaluating data from both race packages, as well as feedback from drivers, teams and OEMs and feel that the 750 hp / low downforce package best fits the track.”

Other rule changes include:

• Teams are restricted to 150 restricted computational fluid dynamics runs per calendar month.
• Teams must compete in a minimum of 16 points events with a short block sealed engine (up from 13).

The schedule is going to be the biggest change. After the 500 they are going to stay in FL and head down to Homestead before the annual "West Coast Swing". The Bristol spring race (3/28) is going to be run on dirt. So that's interesting. They have added road races at COTA in Austin TX and Elkhart Lake (Road America), and along with Sonoma and Watkins Glen, and roval configurations at Indy and Charlotte, that's a lot of right turns this year. Pocono will do the double-header (Saturday/Sunday) again.

What am I looking forward to?
- The return of the 5 car with Kyle Larson driving it
- Bubba in the Hamlin/Jordan owned 23
- Chase Elliott's mustache
- Bristol on dirt


Questions I have?
- Will Christopher Bell win races in the 20?
- Will Hendrick's other three cars 48, 5, 24 be better this year?
- Will I get to be a 5-car fan without any lingering Larson controversy?
- How will the 23 run?
- Will Kyle Busch return to his winning ways or is he on the downside of his career?

 

[superchuck500]

Daytona schedule (Fox Networks):

2/9 Busch Clash on Tuesday night (same as last year)
2/10 Wednesday Pole Qualifying
2/11 Thursday Duels
2/13 Friday Trucks
2/13 Saturday: ARCA / Xfinity doubleheader
2/14 Sunday: 500 (2:30pm TV start, green flag approx. 2:45pm)

 

[The Nomad]

I'm loving the additional road courses and cannot wait to see these cars on the dirt!

 

[Krewe of Clyde's]

I guess the guys down at the Treasure Bay Casino Sports Book will get used to seeing me every weekend again. Having a little cash riding on the outcome increases my interest in the race by quite a bit.