By Jerry Jordan, Editor
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – NASCAR has always been about the business of working with automakers to test new ideas and concepts that could be used in production line vehicles but when fans hear the word “electric” they get spun out for fear of losing the roar of a 550 hp carbureted racing engine.
Like it, or not, the implementation of electricity involving the engine is coming to stock car racing but maybe not in the way it is being feared, said NASCAR President Steve Phelps, in a roundtable discussion Friday with the sport’s media.
The news immediately had fans on Twitter and other social media sites waving the yellow flag.
“Another nail in the coffin,” wrote Twitter user Wayne Parks aka @bocawayneP.
“Will kill the sport. When it’s up to the engineers to make the car better rather than the driver on how they drive it… driver can’t carry the car with their unique driving style to allow lower funded teams. 1.5’s are boring with current 550hp as its all manufactured drama,” wrote Twitter user Marc Wulf aka @mwulf34.
Just like different fans pull for different drivers there were some on social media defending the advancements of electrified technology in NASCAR.
Phelps tried to clear up any misconceptions by cautioning against people thinking the Cup Series would be running Priuses, Volts or other hybrid-style vehicles.
“It is not a hybrid series, it just will have electrification to it,” Phelps told Kickin’ the Tires, when asked for clarification. “I would suggest that most racing series around the world are going to electrification, if they are not there already. It will be an engine that isn’t hybrid but will have some electrification to it.”
While NASCAR fans may not realize it, there have been many advances in the auto industry that have come from the racing world. That isn’t likely to change moving forward, especially with regards to engine performance and efficiency. Federal law now mandates that car manufacturers meet stricter fuel efficiency requirements, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. In 2025, those requirements are that new passenger vehicles meet the equivalent of 55.3 miles per gallon. Although there have been some reductions proposed, the automobile industry is moving forward to reduce emissions and the reliance on fossil fuels.
Phelps said ideas being proposed as NASCAR moves for its platform include energy storage.
“It will be an engine that will almost certainly produce 550 horsepower and energy storing electrification, that in some cases, when you’re under braking, will provide more horsepower, which will help the short tracks and road courses,” he said.
It’s all part of plans for the sport moving forward, which includes a new car design in 2021 and possibly the new engine, as well. That is dependent on the OEMs (Original Equipment Manufacturers) and the progress they’ve made at that time. The engine alterations could come a couple of years later.
“We are on track for a new chassis and body style in 2021,” Phelps said. “When that engine follows is a question. There are those in the industry that have proposed waiting and just debut a full new car… We have a lot of stakeholders in this garage that are feeling as good about this car as we are and when we should introduce it. If I had to guess, 2021 would be my guess. When the engine will come will depend upon if our three existing OEMs are interested in doing it in 2022 or 2023.
“There are just a lot of discussions that are going on. We do have time. The current OEMs and the potential for new OEMs with a new engine are all dependent on finding some type of electrification to that engine. And what that looks like.”
Cup cars don’t run carburetors and haven’t for some time.