Pictorial Chronology of Aerodynamic Development in NASCAR

[Zerkfitting]

What speed was that? Speeds were higher in the 80's. Common templates weren't introduced until much later. Not a fan of it at all.

I think when they got to around 140-150 mph (or when Junior Johnson discovered drafting) the shape of the body became more significant. In the 80s & 90s the teams were whining about the aero advantages of the different makes. NASCAR started to allow the teams to massage the nose of the car - it was a never ending attempt to balance the field.

 

[kkfan91]

SPOILER ALERT ...things could always be worse.

Hey hey hey leave winged sprint cars out of this

 

[Old 97]

I think when they got to around 140-150 mph (or when Junior Johnson discovered drafting) the shape of the body became more significant. In the 80s & 90s the teams were whining about the aero advantages of the different makes. NASCAR started to allow the teams to massage the nose of the car - it was a never ending attempt to balance the field.

I agree, but they did a pretty good job back then
It was a great time when the manufacturers would make changes to their models just to be competitive in NASCAR.(Grand Prix 2+2, Monte Aero Coupe)
Oh well. If no one ever got fired over that COT debacle then I may as well resign myself to the small differences that provide minimal brand identity.

 

[aunty dive]

What speed was that? Speeds were higher in the 80's. Common templates weren't introduced until much later. Not a fan of it at all.

Higher than today's speeds?

 

[Zerkfitting]

When Bill Eliot did a 212 mph lap NASCAR had to slow the cars down. The concern was a car flying into the crowd, cars were getting airborne in wrecks - this was before the roof flaps and better fences.

 

[Old 97]

When Bill Eliot did a 212 mph lap NASCAR had to slow the cars down. The concern was a car flying into the crowd, cars were getting airborne in wrecks - this was before the roof flaps and better fences.

Thanks Zerk

 

[Efisher131]

When Bill Eliot did a 212 mph lap NASCAR had to slow the cars down. The concern was a car flying into the crowd, cars were getting airborne in wrecks - this was before the roof flaps and better fences.

Parts and pieces still make it through, and there have been more airborne crashes into the fence in the last 6-8 years than probably in the history of NASCAR before that.