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Leaked Documents Say Nascar EV Series Coming In 2023

The transition to Nascar EV racing seems inevitable, and fans could get a taste of its battery-powered future as soon as 2023, as leaked documents indicate that the U.S. racing series plans to launch an EV-only support series next season.

Screenshots of the documents were uncovered by Kickin’ The Tires, revealing plans to bring a prototype EV race car to the track next year, where it will debut at the pre-season 2023 Clash at the Coliseum in Los Angeles. In the third quarter of 2023, Nascar will then introduce a six-race support series with EV race cars at six venues “likely aligned with Cup Series events.” It’s not clear if Cup Series drivers will participate in the events, however.

Each EV racing event will include a roster of just 12 race cars. There will be two 30-minute races, one on Saturday and the next on Sunday. The goal is for the EV race cars to be able to run lap times on par with the gasoline-powered race cars, and non-competitive pit stops will be allowed for teams to change tires or fix crash damage, while charging and battery swaps will not be allowed. The vehicles will feature all-wheel-drive powertrains capable of up to 1,000 horsepower, facilitated by three high-output motors and a 200 kW regen unit.

The uncovered documents also indicate that Nascar will employ what it learns from the EV racing division to “determine the best path forward in National Series for 2025.” In fact, the Next Gen race car, which debuted for the 2022 Cup Series season, was designed with electrification in mind, and can support the addition of hybrid motors without modification.

Nascar has not confirmed its plans to execute an EV-only series next season, but in early 2022, Steve O’Donnell, Nascar Chief Operating Officer, stated that the organization was looking into an exhibition series consisting of battery electric race cars.

Reportedly, Nascar’s push toward electrification will include “exploring options for sound,” bringing excitement to what would otherwise be a silent drive. The sanctioning body and manufacturers may also consider the use of crossover of SUV bodies in the future to reflect recent buyer trends and embody the “win on Sunday, sell on Monday” mantra.

If Nascar does, in fact, go all-electric, it will certainly be interesting to observe which vehicles each manufacturer chooses to run. Currently, Chevrolet runs the Camaro ZL1 coupe, but the production model will be discontinued after 2024. There could be a yet-unveiled Bow Tie EV waiting in the wings for a Cup Series debut. Meanwhile, Ford could choose to move forward with a Mustang Mach-E racer.

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Alexandra is a Colorado-based journalist with a passion for all things involving horsepower, be it automotive or equestrian.

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Comments

  1. Let the EVs run as silent as they are. Tire noise is enough.

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  2. is there a sport that thumbs it nose at it’s fanbase more than nascar?

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  3. I’m sorry, crossovers? The EVs are fine and inevitable, but do we really need to see crossovers on the track?

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    1. Major sponsors, namely Ford and GM, are winding down sedans. Unless you want to see only Toyota, Honda, and Nissan (branded) cars, you’re going to have to adapt to their crossover sales.

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      1. Ford races the Mustang with a new gen coming and eventual EV at some point. Toyota has plenty of cars, Dodge is rumored to Join and has car models and new E-muscle car coming. Only Chevy is up in the air, but they did promise a “low roof Ev”. So yeah, combined with inferior aerodynamics with crossover/SUVs especially in racing at high speeds, it’s kind of a stupid idea.

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    2. Well they could go with Cadillac.

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  4. “SIGH”

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  5. Louder? The noise is worse than the crowds.

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    1. Just what I want to hear is a bunch of Bumble Bees going around the track. How many fans will pull the plug on EV racing.

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  6. IDIOTS

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  7. Even NASCAR has gone woke and is drinking the Kool-Aid.

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    1. NASCAR proved their wokeness to me when they tried to say a noose was found in bubba wallace’s garage bay. It was a pull down rope with a loop in it for closing garage door…. for crying out loud. Keep going the way your going NASCAR and you will just be a memory soon. Go woke, go broke !

      Reply
  8. WOW! Just think how Ecars will suck up more from the power grid. Nobody thinks far enough ahead, to see that ALL electric is made from more than just wind or solar. It’s gonna happen maybe, but to totally drop all gas powered vehicles at once, it will never work. Grid just isn’t up to handling it.

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  9. Were witnessing the death of nascar! R.I.P.

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  10. What’s next RADIO FLYER WAGON’S in different colors. EV’s will be the death personnel transportation and freedom for all.

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  11. Being a NASCAR fan for 60+ years when they drove cars that looked like what could be bought at the dealership, I can see a switch to a hybrid with ICE and a boost EV motor but CUV’s? Goodbye NASCAR. Remember, not every buyer wants a CUV, SUV or mall-crawler jacked up pickup.

    I hear the blab all the time, sedans don’t sell, gotta have an EV, make it green and all that crap. Current charging rate locally is $.32 per MINUTE. A full charge, not super charge, is about 8 hours. Go figure the charge on that one. I can fill my Cadillac CT6 tank in under 5 minutes for about $60 with gas being $4.39 a gallon and run close to 600 miles. I have had 3 SUV’s, a GMC Envoy, GMC Terrain and a Cadillac SRX. They all lasted less than a year and were all traded for a Cadillac full-sized sedan.

    NASCAR just might as well shut down or figure out another way to keep their fan base. Oh, and BTW we are not all beer drinking, red necks.

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  12. The end of NASCAR racing😢

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  13. Seems like a great plan. 5 laps of high pitch screaming electric motors followed by an hour intermission to charge. Maybe they can play Tik Tok videos to keep the sheep entertained.

    The 2024 Daytona 50.

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  14. If NASCAR GOES ALL ELECTRIC, I WILL TURN IT OFF AND ALSO NOT ATTEND ANOTHER RACE. It’s sad that GM and Ford would even jump on this band wagon. Woke, what is that anyway. The word us AWAKE!

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  15. If NASCAR GOES ALL ELECTRIC, I WILL TURN IT OFF AND ALSO NOT ATTEND ANOTHER RACE. It’s sad that GM and Ford would even jump on this band wagon. Woke, what is that anyway. The word is AWAKE!

    Reply
    1. Kevin,
      I am of the same opinion. I will dump Nascar ammd stick to NHL Lighting.

      Reply

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