Based on wind tunnel data from a July 18 test, all four NASCAR Sprint Cup Series manufacturers have met their aerodynamic targets and are ready to race, the sanctioning body announced Monday.
Accordingly, the 2013 Ford Fusion, Chevrolet SS, Dodge Charger and Toyota Camry are ready to hit the track for testing in preparation for their debut in February’s season-opening Daytona 500. With the aero targets met, manufacturers can now begin to make parts and pieces for the new cars.
“We commend the manufacturers and our team at the R&D center on all the hard work they’ve put into this new car,” said Robin Pemberton, NASCAR Vice President of Competition. “With all the designs and surface areas of the car now approved, manufacturers can now move forward with building the components needed to outfit their cars.
“The wind tunnel testing we’ve had with the manufacturers over the past several months has given us the timely and necessary data we needed to come to this confirmation. We believe the new car is going to be a milestone opportunity for our sport, one that our fans will embrace.”
Indeed, without exception, the new cars that will debut next year represent a return to greater brand identity than that offered by the generation of race car that preceded them.
Ford, Toyota and Dodge already have revealed their 2013 models. Chevrolet has released only a camouflaged version of its SS, which is based on the Australian-built rear-wheel-drive Holden Commodore.
Greg is the author of "The Nuts and Bolts of NASCAR: The Definitive Viewers' Guide to Big-Time Stock Car Auto Racing" and has been published in major publications across the country including the Los Angeles Times, the Cleveland Plain Dealer and the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. He was also a contributor to Chicken Soup for the NASCAR Soul, published in 2010, and the Christmas edition in 2016. He wrote as the NASCAR, Formula 1, Auto Reviews and National Veterans Affairs Examiner for Examiner.com and has appeared on Fox News. He holds a BS degree in communications, a Masters degree in psychology and is currently a PhD candidate majoring in psychology. He is currently the weekend Motorsports Editor for Autoweek.
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