Next Gen (NASCAR)

The Next Gen car, formerly known as the Gen-7 car, is the common name for the new racecar that will be used in the NASCAR Cup Series starting in 2022.[1] A further evolution of the Generation 6 car, the Next Gen will feature improved aero and downforce packages while introducing new technologies on the track. In addition, the Next Gen car is meant to attract new original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) to compete with Chevrolet, Ford, and Toyota.[2][3][4][5]

Next Gen
Kurt Busch testing the Next Gen car in November 2020.
CategoryNASCAR Cup Series
Constructor Chevrolet
Ford
Toyota
PredecessorGeneration 6
Technical specifications
ChassisSteel tube frame with integral safety roll cage
Engine5.86 L (358 cu in) V8 Naturally-aspirated FR layout
Transmission5 forward speeds + 1 reverse Sequential manual transmission
Weight3,200 lb (1,451 kg) minimum without driver and fuel
3,400 lb (1,542 kg) minimum with driver and fuel
FuelSunoco Green E15
TiresGoodyear
Competition history

The Next Gen body style was set to debut at the 2021 Daytona 500,[6][5] but when the COVID-19 pandemic postponed all NASCAR racing (and therefore, testing) until the month of May, the sanctioning body announced that the debut of the car would be pushed back a year to 2022.[1]

History

The rules package of the 2019 season served as the starting point of the Next Gen's development.[2] The prototype, built by Richard Childress Racing using a generic body, was tested for the first time on October 8–9 by driver Austin Dillon at Richmond Raceway.[7][8]

The second test of the car was done at Phoenix Raceway on December 9–10 with Joey Logano behind the wheel of it.[9] Erik Jones drove the car in its third test, which was held at Homestead–Miami Speedway on January 15–16.[10]

The fourth test was at Auto Club Speedway with William Byron on March 2–3.[11] John Probst, NASCAR's senior vice president of racing innovation, commented that the "P3" prototype Byron tested was nearly 100 percent of the final product.[5][12]

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, all racing was postponed through the month of May. Further testing that was scheduled to take place at Atlanta Motor Speedway with Clint Bowyer on March 16–17[13] was still on since the Next Gen car testing was exempted from NASCAR's indefinite ban on all testing.[14][15] However, this decision was quickly reversed because of the situation as the Atlanta weekend was postponed shortly after the Rudy Gobert incident at an NBA game days prior that led to NASCAR's decision on postponement. A handful of manufacturers, teams, and drivers alike indicated their hope for the debut of the car to be postponed one year to 2022 as a result of the lost testing time.[16] On March 30, 2020, it was reported that NASCAR was taking a serious look at pushing back the rollout of the new car to 2022.[17] NASCAR officially confirmed these reports on April 2, 2020, and the car's debut was pushed back a year to allow for enough testing time after the postponement of all events through May.[1]

On August 17, NASCAR announced that testing of the Next Gen car would resume at Dover International Speedway with Cole Custer on August 18–19, while another prototype, built by Action Express Racing, was tested at the Daytona road course with Felipe Nasr driving the day after the Daytona road course events.[18]

On November 10, NASCAR announced Charlotte Motor Speedway would host a pair of tests, with Kurt Busch and Martin Truex Jr. participating in both with a pair of prototype chassis. The tests are set from November 16–18 with the first day being held on the road course, and the second day on the oval.[19]

On December 11, NASCAR announced the Next Gen's first superspeedway test at Daytona International Speedway on December 14–15, with Chris Buescher as the test driver.[20] The Next Gen car has successfully passed all speed tests. They were able to focus on the gearbox and other features. The next tests took place at Charlotte before further tire tests were carried out with Goodyear.[21]

On February 1, 2021, NASCAR announced that the development stage of the Next Gen was complete.[22]

Design

Aero and downforce packages

The Next Gen car is expected to use a stepped front splitter, aerodynamic vents on the hood, and a redesigned side skirt, all of which are designed to reduce the amount of side force in the cars. A notable addition to the Next Gen car is the rear diffuser, which is set to be used in NASCAR for the first time. NASCAR has conducted various tests on the wind tunnel to have the car to generate more downforce using the rear diffuser. Adjustable aerodynamic components are also expected to be used to accommodate the various track types in the schedule.[23][24]

Spec chassis

In contrast to the body-on-frame construction of previous generations, the Next Gen car will use a carbon fiber tub. This construction allows the driver to be positioned farther from the door panel of the car, further increasing its safety. Dallara was initially rumored to be the exclusive supplier of the new chassis, but it was revealed that Technique recently opened a shop in Concord, North Carolina, indicating that they will manufacture the chassis for NASCAR teams.[3][4]

Sequential transmission

The Next Gen car will have the traditional four-speed manual transmission replaced with a floor-mounted six-speed Xtrac Limited sequential manual transmission, similar to the type of transmission used in contemporary race cars (e.g., touring cars). [25][3]

Independent rear suspension

Much like the race cars used in IMSA, the Next Gen car will use an independent rear suspension instead of the solid rear axle used by previous generations.[3]

New wheel design

On March 2, 2020, NASCAR announced that the traditional 15-inch steel wheel with the five-lug pattern will be replaced by a new 18-inch aluminum wheel that uses a single center-locking lug nut. The wheels will be manufactured by German firm BBS.[26][6][3][4][25]

Refueling system

The Next Gen car is expected to use a clamp-on refueling hose similar to those used in IMSA. This would eliminate the use of the traditional gas cylinder canister carried over the pit wall.[3]

References
  1. "Next Gen car debut delayed until 2022 due to coronavirus pandemic". NASCAR.com. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. April 2, 2020.
  2. Albert, Zack (February 4, 2019). "Generation next: 2021 the target for Gen-7 race car". NASCAR.com. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved March 3, 2020.
  3. Smith, Steven Cole (December 30, 2019). "Next-Gen: What We Know about NASCAR's New Car". Autoweek. Retrieved March 3, 2020.
  4. "NASCAR Next Gen car to feature single lug nut". RacingNews.co. March 3, 2020. Retrieved March 4, 2020.
  5. Crandall, Kelly (March 3, 2020). "NASCAR settles on Next-Gen specs". Racer. Retrieved March 5, 2020.
  6. Albert, Zack (March 2, 2020). "New Next Gen car debuts in Auto Club test, '99 percent' complete". NASCAR.com. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved March 3, 2020.
  7. Page, Scott (October 7, 2019). "NASCAR to test Next Gen car at Richmond". Jayski's Silly Season Site. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved March 3, 2020.
  8. "Next Gen car makes on-track test debut at Richmond". NASCAR.com. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. October 9, 2019. Retrieved March 3, 2020.
  9. Albert, Zack (December 10, 2019). "Early impressions: Joey Logano finds a 'challenging' Next Gen car in Phoenix test". NASCAR.com. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved March 3, 2020.
  10. "Erik Jones to drive Next Gen car in two-day test at Miami". NASCAR.com. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. January 10, 2020. Retrieved March 3, 2020.
  11. "William Byron to test Next Gen car at Auto Club Speedway". Jayski's Silly Season Site. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. February 25, 2020. Retrieved March 3, 2020.
  12. Tatarevic, Bozi (March 10, 2020). "NASCAR Next Gen "P3" prototype is "99 percent" of the final race car". The Hagerty Group, LLC. Retrieved March 16, 2020.
  13. Albert, Zack (March 10, 2020). "Clint Bowyer to drive Next Gen car in Atlanta test". NASCAR.com. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved March 16, 2020.
  14. "NASCAR issues indefinite ban on non-Next Gen testing". NASCAR.com. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. March 17, 2020. Retrieved March 18, 2020.
  15. Crandall, Kelly (March 17, 2020). "NASCAR pushing ahead with Next Gen race car development". Racer. Retrieved March 18, 2020.
  16. Crandall, Kelly (March 30, 2020). "Support growing for NASCAR Next Gen delay". Racer. Retrieved March 31, 2020.
  17. Long, Dustin (March 30, 2020). "Report: Debut of Next Gen car to be delayed". NBC Sports. Retrieved April 2, 2020.
  18. "Next Gen testing to resume at Dover; SHR's Custer set for driving duties". NASCAR.com. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. August 17, 2020. Retrieved August 18, 2020.
  19. "Kurt Busch, Martin Truex Jr. set for two-day Next Gen test at Charlotte". NASCAR.com. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. November 11, 2020. Retrieved November 12, 2020.
  20. Albert, Zack (December 11, 2020). "Cup Series' Next Gen model set for two-day test at Daytona; Buescher to drive". NASCAR.com. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved December 12, 2020.
  21. "L'auto Next Gen della NASCAR raggiunge gli obiettivi di velocità a Daytona". The Shield Of Sports (in Italian). December 17, 2020. Retrieved December 17, 2020.
  22. Albert, Zack (February 1, 2021). "Competition briefing: Development phase of Next Gen car is complete". NASCAR.com. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved February 3, 2021.
  23. Ramsey, Jonathon (January 19, 2020). "NASCAR tests six-speed sequential manual gearbox in 2021 Next-Gen car". Autoblog. Verizon Media. Retrieved March 4, 2020.
  24. Weaver, Matt (March 4, 2020). "Latest NASCAR Next-Gen Test Underscores a Challenging Race Car". Autoweek. Retrieved March 4, 2020.
  25. Wilhelm, Chase (March 3, 2020). "William Byron details learning experience after Next Gen test at Fontana". NASCAR.com. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved March 5, 2020.
  26. Albert, Zack (March 2, 2020). "NASCAR moving to single lug-nut design for Next Gen car". NASCAR.com. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved March 3, 2020.
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