The Cars of NASCAR

Have you wondered just what it is that makes NASCAR stock cars different from the standard street stock that we see around? What is hiding behind the body of a NASCAR stock car?

In the beginning, modifications to the cars were not allowed. The cars had to be factory stock. The Strictly Stock division was renamed the Grand National in 1950 and performance and safety modifications were allowed. By the time the mid-1960s rolled around, the cars had the appearance of a stock car but were designed and built for racing.

Over time, NASCAR has mandated and/or allowed modification to factory stock cars to address the need to balance safety and competitive racing. NASCAR is vigilant in checking cars at each race to ensure that modification comply with their standards. NASCAR racing vehicles are custom built with every detail of the frame, engine and car body designed in house.

The design that is always front row center when designing the frame is safety compliance. This cannot be compromised at any point in the design process. The frame is divided into three sections. The front and back clips, or sections, of the frame are constructed of thinner steel tubing than the middle of the frame. This tubing crushes to help to absorb the impact in the event of a crash. The frames middle section, which includes the roll cage, is built using a stronger material and is designed to maintain its structural integrity in a collision. With the safety of the driver always at the forefront, devices such as special seatbelts; roll cages; roof flaps; airbags; fuel cells; and window nets are just some of the mandated customized safety devices. At the speeds that these cars travel, standard equipment is not likely to stand the impact.

Why do these NASCAR vehicles have so much speed? These cars are capable of hitting speeds of 200 mph and more. Large engines packed under the hood are responsible for the high speeds that are achieved without turbochargers. The radical cam profile on the engine allows much more air to flow into the cylinders at high speeds. Carburetors that enable a large volume of fuel and air flow into it are under the hood of a NASCAR racing cars. These cars are not fuel injected. They have ignition systems that allow for the customization of spark timing. Subsystems such as oil, coolant and steering pumps, as well as alternators, are made to be run at high temperatures and high speeds for prolonged periods of time.

NASCARs quality standards are very stringent and NASCAR racing cars need every part to be honed to an exacting tolerance so that the engines will be able to quickly achieve the maximum power it can deliver. In order to have a winning edge, there is no margin for error in the design, machining or assembly.

NASCAR racing cars hold a fascination to fans. The powerful profile, the raw horsepower, their sleek design and their integrated safety features attract NASCAR fans like bees to honey. The next time you attend a NASCAR race, you will have a better understanding of just what these powerful machines are capable of.