Modernization of NASCAR's CUP cars

[bscot968]

I am very happy to see the manufacturers becoming involved with the new gen. 6 cup cars. The recent addition of EFI, the loss (finally!!) of 150lbs. from the still overweight cars show movement in the right direction. But after watching "speed week" and testing I have to wonder why NASCAR continues to use the antiquated 4spd. transmission. I would like to see them step up to a six speed box. I can't imagine that the cost would be prohibitive and I can only imagine or fantasize about how much better the racing would be. At Daytona with the horsepower reduction, being able to gear the top two or three gears to change engine speed by maybe 100 to 250rpm's would make for some incredible racing. At present the engines circle the speedway and barely change rev's only with change in aerodynamic effect. It would seem that the changes would only be positive, so I would hope that NASCAR keep on with the modernization. So what do you think?

[wilmywood8455]

Waste of time and money. Other than the road courses the only place they'd make any kind of difference is Pocono, and they've been there, done that. They're not going back.

You want change that matters? Independent rear suspension. THAT would make a difference.

Then you could incorporate a Hewland gearbox and diff. That would make all the difference in the world.

[mmi16]

I am surprised that 3 on the tree isn't required! After all it worked for the Hudson Hornet!

[IceManPJN]

As was more or less addressed, there is no point in having a six-speed tranny because they don't change gears except behind a safety car ("pace car") or when pitting.

Regarding modernization... NASCAR is relatively primitive. I think it was just last year that they finally went to fuel injection, having used carburetors up to that point even though the automotive industry abandoned carburetors by 1990. They're pushing over 800 horsepower, but out of engines that are almost six liters in displacement, and for comparison a Formula One car has similar power but from a 2.4-liter engine, and both are normally-aspirated (meaning the F1 engine isn't getting its power from a turbocharger or anything like that.) Their bodies are just a steel tubeframe with a thin sheet of aluminum foil (basically) in a car-like shape draped over it, rather than using more advanced materials like carbon fiber which offer great strength but much lower weight. This isn't a modern racing series.

[MadCowRacin]

As was more or less addressed, there is no point in having a six-speed tranny because they don't change gears except behind a safety car ("pace car") or when pitting.

Regarding modernization... NASCAR is relatively primitive. I think it was just last year that they finally went to fuel injection, having used carburetors up to that point even though the automotive industry abandoned carburetors by 1990. They're pushing over 800 horsepower, but out of engines that are almost six liters in displacement, and for comparison a Formula One car has similar power but from a 2.4-liter engine, and both are normally-aspirated (meaning the F1 engine isn't getting its power from a turbocharger or anything like that.) Their bodies are just a steel tubeframe with a thin sheet of aluminum foil (basically) in a car-like shape draped over it, rather than using more advanced materials like carbon fiber which offer great strength but much lower weight. This isn't a modern racing series.

Actually the body is completely carbon fiber. Since 2008 all but the hood has been carbon fiber and starting this season the hood is carbon fiber as well.

It's probably best that the series doesn't TOTALLY modernize. Formula 1 has kept up with the times but the quality of racing hasn't improved, in fact I thought F1 was much more exciting during the 80's and early 90's than it is today. So all that technology is for nothing because it does nothing to enhance the racing.