The Generation 6 race car resembles something that might catch your eye on a trip to your local dealership, but NASCAR’s newest addition will make its road-course debut at the 25thToyota/Save Mart 350 at Sonoma Raceway, June 21-23.
NASCAR’s goal was to introduce a stock car for the 2013 season that fans could identify with, one in which manufacturers Chevrolet, Ford and Toyota could design with their own unique spin and inject a new shot of excitement into the Sprint Cup series.
So far, the response from drivers has been largely positive as the car has made its debut on the superspeedways of Daytona and Talladega, the intermediate tracks such as Las Vegas and Texas Motor Speedways and the short tracks of Bristol, Martinsville and Richmond.
Now, the Toyota/Save Mart 350 provides another milestone – the first time the Gen-6 car will run on a road course. Sonoma Raceway’s multiple twists and turns are a far cry from the oval tracks that host 34 of the 36 races on the Sprint Cup schedule.
The Gen-6 is 160 pounds lighter than last year’s Car of Tomorrow model. The car has more downforce, which results in better tire grip, and that means drivers can attack corners with more confidence and more speed as they negotiate Sonoma’s 10-turn track.
There figures to be more aggressive driving, more attempts at passing and, overall, a more entertaining show.
“The racing there has changed a lot since they implemented two-wide restarts (after caution flags),” said Matt Kenseth, driver of the No. 20 Toyota for Joe Gibbs Racing. “It’s really changed road racing a lot. When I started there, there was road racing etiquette. You’d only pass entering Turn 11, and maybe there was one other passing zone.
“Now it’s kind of a free-for-all. It seems all that etiquette’s gone. If there’s an inch of pavement and maybe some dirt, someone is gonna take it. It’s definitely some of the most aggressive racing you’ll see throughout the year.”
The development of the new car was a joint effort between NASCAR, the manufacturers and the race teams to develop cars that would handle better and provide a higher quality of racing, and have distinguishable characteristics that look similar to what people drive on the streets.
For example, Chevy’s new Sprint Cup car closely resembles the rear-wheel drive V-8 Chevrolet SS performance sedan that will be sold this year. The front-end grill on the Ford Fusion that’s being used in competition is similar to what is found on showroom floors. And the front-end grill and rear bumper of the Sprint Cup-version Toyota Camry resembles that of the production model.
Manufacturers believe that NASCAR victories will increase showroom sales, and teams are hopeful that better showroom sales will influence manufacturers to pour more money into the racing operation.
“We’ve been on a path the last five or six years working on getting a car to look more like what’s in a showroom,” said Robin Pemberton, NASCAR’s vice president of competition. “We feel we’ve gotten away from that in recent times due to the concentration on safety and other aspects of competition. As a group, from the manufacturers to the rules and regulations to the teams, we unified to get this car tested and get it on the race track.”
With the Gen-6 car, there are distinct differences in appearance between a Chevy, a Ford and a Toyota, and the hope is that this will bring back a spirited rivalry between fans that prefer one brand over another.
Andy Graves, a former crew chief who is now the Chassis Engineer for Toyota Racing Development, believes this is an important factor.
“I was a huge fan of NASCAR growing up,” Graves said. “You always had diehard Chevrolet fans, diehard Ford fans. It always was a competition for what brand they stood up for, what brand their driver drove. It’s fun to instill that back in the fan base.”
Graves was a key figure in the development of the Gen-6 car, spending countless hours analyzing the aerodynamic qualities of the car in wind tunnel tests. He also worked closely with the manufacturer to make sure the Toyota car resembled the production model but also met specifications for Sprint Cup competition. For example, the car needed enough grill opening to keep the engine cool during a race.
“I think one of the big things is having a carbon (fiber) hood on the cars and having a carbon deck lid, trying to lighten up some of the body on top of the surface,” Graves said. “There’s going to be a lower center of gravity on the cars. That is really going to play a big role in making the cars more racey on road courses.”
The Gen-6 car has received a thumbs-up from drivers on the oval tracks, and it’s certainly delivered excitement.
At Richmond International Raceway in late April, Kevin Harvick shot from seventh place to first over a two-lap shootout to take the checkered flag. Clint Bowyer, who finished second to Harvick, raved about the car.
“I’m telling you, whoever designed this new car, we should kiss ’em,” Bowyer gushed to reporters. “I mean, every weekend, it’s creating drama.”
The Gen-6 car will hit the track for the first time at Sonoma Raceway for two practice sessions on Great Clips Fast Friday on June 21, and it’s sure to be a thrilling weekend. For more information or to purchase tickets, call 800-870-RACE or visit www.racesonoma.com/nascar.
Sonoma Raceway PR
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