Warning massive wall of text incoming...
The biggest problem with NASCAR right now, isn't the stagnant schedule nor is it rules inconsistency or constant rule changes (I'll address them in another post), It's the on track product that is the main issue. Which is generally a result of a car that is too aero sensitive, while the current aero package is a step in the right direction, I feel like there is still so much to do in terms of improving the racing itself. The following list is primarily is based off what we already know about the Gen 7 car, combined with what I'd personally like to see.
**THE ENGINE**
As a racing series built on the "Win on Sunday, Sell on Monday" principle, I feel like in terms of automotive technology, NASCAR Cup engines need to reflect the latest in automotive industry trends. The automotive industry is trending to electrification at the moment, however, based on current EV technology, there is no way a fully electric vehicle can met the current demands of NASCAR Cup Series racing. Hybrid ICE/Electric engines are the way to go for now.
Personally, I feel like the new engine package
should be a turbocharged 500HP V8 ICE, combined with 2 250 horsepower electric motors on the front and rear axels for a combined total of 1,000HP.
As for an ERS, instead of KERS (which uses braking energy), an EHRS (exhaust heat recovery system) is used. The EHRS system harnesses the heat from the exhaust gas and
turns it into electrical energy which is stored in a battery and can be used by the driver at any time during a race for a boost of 50 horsepower in the electric motors for 5 seconds.
**THE CHASSIS**
The Chassis is a steel tube frame and specifically designed to where a team no longer needs to build track specific cars, which means less chassis need to be built, therefore also saving the team money.
**THE BODY**
First things first, the practice of skewing the sides of the race cars out in an extreme manner is officially banned. You heard me right, the Twisted Sisters are gone. It has been pretty well established, that the biggest problem with the racing for years has been sideforce, plus it totally defeats the point of designing the cars to resemble their production counterparts, which is one of the entire points of the Gen 7 car.
Essentially, I'm using that X-3 car that was tested at Kansas a little while ago as a template for the car's aerodynamics. It eliminated sideforce by engineering the car to be equal in the front and back as well as left and right which would keep it straight around corners. At the front, a bulge was created, making it impossible to seal off which would allow for greater downforce. By eliminating sideforce, the air would flow easier over the car which would allow clean air for the car behind.
[This video by Realradman could explain the aerodynamics of the X-3 car and the big aerodynamic issues with the current car better than I could]( In addition to solving the aero sensitivity problem, making the cars as close to symmetrical as possible, will make
As for the body itself, it's a fiberglass composite. Based off of the composite bodies run in the Xfinity series. By switching to flange fit composite body panels, less time will be spent in the body shop and in the wind tunnel, saving teams time and money.
**MISCELLANEOUS**
We already know the car will have bigger wheels and bigger tires, as well as Independent Rear Suspensions.
Speaking of tires… one idea that NASCAR experimented with at the All Star Race a few years ago, that was never used to the fullest, was allowing teams to choose between tire compounds. I say, let's try that again in longer races for an entire season. It could open up a lot of new strategic options for teams. In order to prevent teams from gaming the system however, teams have to start the race on the same set of tires they qualified on. And they are limited to 2 or 3 sets of specific tire compounds per weekend. The tire type is denoted by the color of the "Goodyear Eagle" text on the sidewall. (The colors are derived from Goodyear's corporate color scheme).
White- Soft tires, the grippiest tire compound, but wears quick..
Yellow- The current tire compound is now considered the mediun tire.
Blue-Hard tires, Significantly less grippy, but they last longer.
Light Blue- Intermediate Tires, used for damp tracks and or light rain conditions.
Aqua Blue- Rain Tires.
Also, in order to return the sport, to it's "Win on Sunday, Sell On Monday" , the homologation rule is reinstated. In order for a car (or truck) model to be approved by NASCAR for competition, 5,000 cars of that model must be produced and sold to the general public.
