Rumors about an incoming NASCAR EV have been circulating since 2022, coming to a head when an illustration of the forthcoming electric race car – a crossover-style racer – surfaced in late 2023. Now, the sanctioning body has finally revealed its prototype NASCAR EV race car at the Chicago Street Course on July 6th, 2024.
The electric race car was developed in conjunction with ABB, a global leader in electrification and automation. Its testing has been heavily shrouded thus far, but NASCAR says that it has seen some track time, and that it was developed with cooperation from all of the national series’ manufacturers – that is, Chevy, Ford, and Toyota.
This prototype, which doesn’t resemble any particular manufacturer’s product, features three STARD UHP 6-Phase motors, with one mounted to the front axle and two mounted to the rear. Power is routed to all four wheels, which are clad in specially designed Goodyear Eagle tires. A 78-kWh liquid-cooled battery provides the juice, and the crossover race car is capable of a whopping 1,000 kWh at peak power. It also utilizes regenerative braking, turning wasted braking energy into power, making it “ideal for road courses and short oval tracks,” according to a press release.
This all-wheel-drive race car features a crossover-style body with a sloping rear end, aligning it more closely with the “crossover coupe” segment. Its body is made of flax-based composite, and features technology similar to the current NASCAR Next Gen race car and the Garage 56 entry – which, as a reminder, was the Chevy Camaro ZL1 that NASCAR raced at Le Mans in 2023. The body rides on a modified Next Gen chassis while the steering, suspension, brakes, and wheels are from Cup Series race cars.
“There could not be a more optimal moment in time to announce our first Impact partner than in tandem with the debut of the ABB NASCAR EV Prototype at the Chicago Street Race,” said Eric Nyquist, NASCAR Senior Vice President and Chief Impact Officer. “ABB is an industry leader and will help in efforts to decarbonize our operations as we pursue achieving net-zero operating emissions over the next decade.”
To be clear, there are no plans to implement the NASCAR EV race car in the Cup Series or Xfinity Series anytime soon. It will likely get its own series or a handful of exhibition races as it continues to be tested. NASCAR reiterated its commitment to the “historic role of the combustion engine in racing,” but stated that it is committed to reducing its carbon footprint to zero across its core operations by 2035.
That said, as far as Chevy goes, The Bow Tie brand will likely continue to run the Camaro in the Cup Series until the EV race car is introduced. Then, it’s likely that it will run the Chevy Blazer EV SS as its NASCAR-going entry.
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Comments
“Ladies and Gentlemen….we present the next generation Camaro.”
LOL. Thanks, I hate it.
Problem is how does one do a pit stop to refuel? Wait 30 mins until you can get back into the race?
I am kind of hoping they jack the car up and swap battery packs, lol
Change batteries.
NASCAR is Disney 2.0. They are producing content people don’t want.
Yeah, loud vroom-vrooms going left around circles for 2 hours is boring as sh!t, which is why NASCAR viewership has been declining and why they need something new and interesting to pull in a new generation that care about technology and not loud engine noises.
It looks more like the Ford Mustang Mach-E and that is an excellent idea.
Not a SUV , dropped like it is … It is a car!!
Like most faux utility vehicles they label as crossover SUV, even though they only have like 5-6in of ground clearance.
How many water tanker trucks will be on hand for the inevitable crash and burn.
Agreed…and one on-track fire and the thing is going to burn to the ground all while very likely leaving a huge hole of melted asphalt and toxic foam in the track surface.
Going to have to change their name, too…
From the “National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR)” to, IMHO, the “National Association for Electric Vehicle Racing (NAEVR)”.
Which will align well the general racing population’s view they’ll “never” embrace this series….
EVs don’t burn. Gas cars do every day!
Can hardly wait for that nails-on-chalkboard screeching sound electric race cars make. That chest-pounding V8 noise is so annoying. (sarcasm)
This is Disney 2.0, when will the morons in charge of nascar wake up when the seats are empty.
The seats are already getting pretty empty. They need something new.
If NASCAR goes EV which it looks like they will by 2035, it will be their “Bud Light” moment!
Your mean massive profits and expanding their customer base?
Now we have seen almost everything! When is this nation gonna wake up and smell the roses? EV’s will be the doom of Nascar. It’s bad enough, the cars all look the same, run the same etc. Mile and half race tracks look like rush hour on an expressway. Bumper to bumper, single lane. No wonder fans are leaving the sport. Plus watching a race on TV now, is more adds than racing. And when something happens, it’s during a commercial. The last thing we need, is EV racing. Count us out!
NASCAR “committed to reducing its carbon footprint to zero across its core operations by 2035.” What a bunch of doo doo! You’ll never have zero carbon emissions because the manufacturing process will never be zero.
I would like to see the EV go head-to-head with ICE on the same track. Looks like my NASCAR days are numbered.
Let’s be real. In terms of speed? the AWD EV would kick the ICE car’s ass. in terms of sound? ICE wins.
You can say that, and I would agree to an extent with off the line speed … but for how long can the EV safely maintain 180 mph speed around a track? I came across a Tesla model S on the Interstate one day, and once we got to higher speeds, was able to catch and was just beginning to pass … when all of a sudden, he slowed down rapidly and turned on his hazards (apparently thinking/signaling me that he thought he’d “won the race”) so as not to be embarrassed by a 15 year old sedan that was just about ready to hand him his lunch … and he knew it!
In high speed violent crash, is it possible batteries can become flaming pieces thrown into the stands? NASCAR always meant roar and smell of big V8’s, not electric silence.
PLEASE please please GM … DON’T do to the Camaro name what ford did with the mustang name for the mach-e! Even people who are clueless about cars and their history know the mach-e ISN’T a mustang in any sense of the word. Seems like it’s time to do some serious top down restructuring at GM, and I don’t mean convertibles!
I just threw up in my mouth. When did I have ham?
Nah, NASCAR needs another new points system and playoff round. That’ll get viewers back!
Also, dorks who drive EVs aren’t into auto racing. So yeah, Disney 2.0.