Over the past five years, NASCAR has been seeking ways of bringing the future car into stockcar racing. This year, at Daytona, they have announced that the car of tomorrow is already here. The car of tomorrow will have a gradual debut in 2007 and 2008, and will roll out in 2009. One of the most important goals that has been made was the safety of the cars; driven by the death of Dale Earnhardt Sr. in February 2001. Since the car is larger, it permits more room for padding and creates larger window openings for easier exiting. The drivers seat will be moved in 4 inches closer to the center of the car for better protection against left side impact. Also, the headrest has been increased up to 6 inches, giving more protection from side impacts. A goal that has been made, that I like and agree with was cost control.

The cars will be made with adjustable parts making it easier for the teams and the car to adjust to different track styles. This will limit the amount of cars a team must prepare during a season. The overall body is more boxier and taller. Looking to limit turbulent air, NASCAR has moved the body back several inches. The front bumper sits closer to the front axle, and the rear bumper will extend further behind the rear axle. The front bumper is 3 inches higher and thicker. While the front splitter catches air rather than deflecting it and can be adjusted.

The air intake is beneath the bumper to prevent overheating. ( like when debris catches on the grill not allowing air through that the car needs) The windshield will be more upright, like a craftsman truck, and will increase the amount of drag. The rear wing/spoiler is an idea that I don’t like, personally. It makes the car look more like a street car than a stockcar. The other new car ideas sound interesting, but nearly changing it by putting a wing instead of a spoiler, that it has always been ? That doesn’t sound too thrilling. But incase you were all wondering, the current engines won’t be affected and the same transmissions will be used.

Although, the shift lever will be moved to the right to accommodate the new position of the drivers seat. Clutches will be smaller, and the rear axle housing 1 inch wider. NASCAR has also tested the car with a more traditional spoiler that sits on the deck lid in a straight line which is normally curved on the current cars. Their goal is to have more stability in traffic. Drivers have been testing this car for half the year now. Dale Earnhardt Jr. tested the car of tomorrow at Atlanta Motor Speedway in March. Dale said that the car was a lot different than from what they race now. He said he likes them, but needs to get used to the way the car drives.

Also in the testing at AMS, was Martin Truex Jr., Kevin Harvick, Greg Biffle and more. So far so good ; nobody seems to be complaining about the car of tomorrow. When the car of tomorrow makes its first debut, we’ll see who agrees and who disagrees.