Modified NASCAR Cars
February 3, 2009 by Trackside
Filed under NASCAR Racecars
Early race drivers were bootleggers that modified their cars for speed and handling to be able to first outrun the police during Prohibition and later to outrun the revenuers that were try to tax their business. Moonshine runners owned many of the vehicles. With most of America under the Alcohol Prohibition Act, these moonshine runners accumulated enough wealth to purchase the fastest, showiest, and expensive cars. With lots of money and a great deal of time on their hands, they turned to racing their vehicles against each other as a matter of pride.
In keeping with its roots, NASCAR uses stock cars for racing instead of specially built racecars such as Formula One and NHRA cars. NASCAR, founded by William France Sr. adopted his vision of using all American stock cars with no modifications. He felt that the public could relate to factory stock cars because those cars were available to them. This would help ensure that no type of car would have an advantage over another. Over time safety and speed modifications have been implemented but that single regulation is largely responsible for NASCAR wildly successful.
In the past, entry-level drivers had stock cars that were used on daily basis on and off the track. However NASCAR entry cars of today are a far cry from the cars that factories produce. The only semblance to stock production is the body template. The tires, chassis, carburetor and the running gear of a modified NASCAR racecar is not even a close relative of a vehicle produced as stock in the U.S.
How are modified NASCAR stock cars different from the factory cars? Some examples will help to visually clarify the point.
Ritchie Evans #61 Ford Pinto driven in 1978
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A Ford model almost forgotten, renewed interest has sparked lately, making the Ford Pinto a highly sought after vintage racecar for amateur level racing.
1955 Replica Chrysler c300r
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A significant NASCAR contender in 1955, the engine of the Chrysler c300r was far superior than most of the muscle cars of its day. In spite of its performance, the market did not embrace the Chrysler model.
Jeff Gordons #24 DuPont Chevrolet
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Jeff Gordon drove this Hendrick Motorsports built car to his first road race victory in 1997 at Watkins Glen. This NASCAR modified car is authentic, not restored, and in perfect condition.
