Subscribe

Sign up for free

  • Get quick access to your favorite articles

  • Manage alerts on breaking news and favorite drivers

  • Make your voice heard with article commenting.

Motorsport prime

Discover premium content
Subscribe

Edition

USA
Aric Almirola, Stewart-Haas Racing, Ford Mustang Smithifeld
Prime
Special feature

How NASCAR had to learn a harsh lesson ahead of Next Gen arrival

The NASCAR Cup kicks off with the Daytona 500 this weekend, but a major engine overhaul and a subsequent mountain of work has been required to be ready for the arrival of the Next Gen cars.

A common misconception: NASCAR machines are powered by the least high-tech engine of any motorsport series on the planet – basically the same motors that they used in the 1960s.

In terms of architecture, the 358 cubic-inch, 90-degree pushrod V8s have been motivating America’s premier stock car series for decades – that much is true – but each engine on the Cup Series grid is actually stacked with Formula 1-level technology in radically designed cylinder heads with insanely tight tolerances that cost tens of thousands of dollars per piece to produce.

Previous article Michael McDowell relishes return to Daytona 500 as champion
Next article Logano on change in NASCAR: "If you sit still, you get passed"

More from Charles Bradley

Porsche wary of mistakes as it aims to ‘maintain trajectory’ at Sebring

Porsche wary of mistakes as it aims to ‘maintain trajectory’ at Sebring

IMSA IMSA
Sebring 12 Hours
Porsche wary of mistakes as it aims to ‘maintain trajectory’ at Sebring Porsche wary of mistakes as it aims to ‘maintain trajectory’ at Sebring
Acura buoyed by weight reduction for IMSA Sebring 12 Hours

Acura buoyed by weight reduction for IMSA Sebring 12 Hours

IMSA IMSA
Sebring 12 Hours
Acura buoyed by weight reduction for IMSA Sebring 12 Hours Acura buoyed by weight reduction for IMSA Sebring 12 Hours
Newgarden’s “killer mentality” kicked in when he lost St. Pete lead

Newgarden’s “killer mentality” kicked in when he lost St. Pete lead

Indy IndyCar
St. Petersburg
Newgarden’s “killer mentality” kicked in when he lost St. Pete lead Newgarden’s “killer mentality” kicked in when he lost St. Pete lead
Chevrolet IndyCar drivers hail off-season gains for 1-2-3-4 result

Chevrolet IndyCar drivers hail off-season gains for 1-2-3-4 result

Indy IndyCar
St. Petersburg
Chevrolet IndyCar drivers hail off-season gains for 1-2-3-4 result Chevrolet IndyCar drivers hail off-season gains for 1-2-3-4 result
IndyCar St. Petersburg: Newgarden wins season opener

IndyCar St. Petersburg: Newgarden wins season opener

Indy IndyCar
St. Petersburg
IndyCar St. Petersburg: Newgarden wins season opener IndyCar St. Petersburg: Newgarden wins season opener
IndyCar St Pete: Start times, how to watch on TV, entry list & more

IndyCar St Pete: Start times, how to watch on TV, entry list & more

Indy IndyCar
St. Petersburg
IndyCar St Pete: Start times, how to watch on TV, entry list & more IndyCar St Pete: Start times, how to watch on TV, entry list & more
Indy NXT St. Petersburg: Nolan Siegel wins season opener

Indy NXT St. Petersburg: Nolan Siegel wins season opener

IndL Indy NXT
St. Pete
Indy NXT St. Petersburg: Nolan Siegel wins season opener Indy NXT St. Petersburg: Nolan Siegel wins season opener
How a Brazilian F1 pioneer lifted Lotus after Rindt's tragic loss

How a Brazilian F1 pioneer lifted Lotus after Rindt's tragic loss

Prime
Prime
F1 Formula 1
How a Brazilian F1 pioneer lifted Lotus after Rindt's tragic loss How a Brazilian F1 pioneer lifted Lotus after Rindt's tragic loss

Sign up for free

  • Get quick access to your favorite articles

  • Manage alerts on breaking news and favorite drivers

  • Make your voice heard with article commenting.

Motorsport prime

Discover premium content
Subscribe

Edition

USA