All four new Nationwide Series cars tested at Talladega
Nationwide Series cars testing at Talladega – Click above for high-res image gallery
We've already shown you the new Ford Mustang and Dodge Challenger cars that will soon be running in the NASCAR Nationwide Series, but Chevy also introduced a new Impala car and Toyota a new Camry. All four new cars were out at Talladega Superspeedway today for some test runs, which gives us our first chance to view the new, more production-like bodies in the revealing light of day.
What we've learned is that all four manufacturers – Ford, Chevrolet, Dodge and Toyota – worked with NASCAR to develop the new body types that look markedly more like their production counterparts than cars raced in the upper level Sprint Cup. Those cars, based on the NASCAR Car of Tomorrow chassis, look identical from the bleachers, making the task of identifying your favorite brand practically impossible. Not so with the new Nationwide Series cars. They actually have distinct shapes that clearly communicate which pony car and/or family sedan you're watching race.
We wondered how much these new bodies would affect aerodynamics and give some brands with sleeker designs an edge, and we're told that all four cars are within "three horsepower of drag and just a few pounds of downforce." Those teams that might have an advantage are likely Chevrolet and Toyota, both of which opted to base their cars on family sedans – the Impala and Camry – with sleeker front ends. The Mustang and Challenger cars may suffer a disadvantage when it comes to wind with their more upright and recessed grilles, but Ford and Dodge will surely win the PR war with their iconic pony cars on the track.
[Source: NASCAR]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
adam1drift 5:06PM (11/02/2009)
Just as ugly just as useless…
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Joe 5:40PM (11/02/2009)
I like the Challenger - 1 outta 4 aint bad eh NASCAR?
That 'Mustang' has a caveman look to it... that's 100% FAIL.
Don't really care about the Chevy and Toyota.
"Dude my drivers 'Camry' beat your 'Mustang' " That ought to sell on Monday.
I'm stopping here - I get too frustrated when I see the absolute pile of left-over crap NASCAR sells to people.
Shiftright 7:10PM (11/02/2009)
That's putting it mildly...God Nascar is clueless...
Shiftright 7:12PM (11/02/2009)
That's putting it mildly...God Nascar is clueless...
Egon 5:06PM (11/02/2009)
I suspect few have ever accused any NASCAR model of being pretty, but egads, those Challengers and Mustangs are hideous...
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daltonlobo 5:07PM (11/02/2009)
How is it possible that the challenger can run? don't the recessed fake headlamps slow down the car aerodnamically?
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83gtragtop 5:12PM (11/02/2009)
I'm wondering the same thing. With that said, I think the Challenger looks pretty damn good and I bleed blue.
ForgedInternals 5:35PM (11/02/2009)
I recall reading an article in NYT's sunday automotive section about how the first time Chrsyler put a full-sized model in a wind tunnel the hood blew off and destroyed the front end and they wound up having to make subtle changes the front end so it would still resemble the concept.
So I'm thinking that yes that fake grille is going to hurt the Challenger's aerodynamics.
Tyler 5:10PM (11/02/2009)
The Camry looks the coolest, the Challenger looks pretty cool and the closest to the original car, the Impala looks like a typical NASCAR car, and damn who slapped the Mustang?
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Joe 5:25PM (11/02/2009)
You lose, automatically, simply for saying the Camry looks good.
Would you say a refrigerator looks cool? No, you wouldn't, because appliances don't look cool. Neither do NASCAR bodied cars based on appliances.
End of story.
Tyler 6:25PM (11/02/2009)
You lose for thinking that the NASCAR version of the Camry is based off the normal refrigerator Camry, nor do I have any heart for a Toyota other than the Supra, MR2, and LF-A, and the Mustang is my favorite car. What I'm saying is that the NASCAR version of the Mustang is hideous, look at it and tell me it's good looking. The Impala looks like what all the NASCAR Chevy's look like, the Challenger is a little weirder looking than the normal but looks the closest to its original model. Stop with your redneck remarks and get in the real world, there's no such thing as a 750+ hp refrigerator in NASCAR. And what about the Fusion, that's a refrigerator that competes against the Camry but also becomes a beast on the track. Get over your self.
Tyler 6:27PM (11/02/2009)
Oh and same goes for the fleet/grandma car Impala and older Taurus.
Fyrewerx 8:21PM (11/02/2009)
Exactly. I can forgive GM for not using a Camaro (OK, maybe not), but why not the Malibu (at least) instead of Grandma's Impala.
ForgedInternals 9:38PM (11/02/2009)
Simple there currently is no Super Sport Malibu, even the Camry has a "sports" model that would benefit from Nascar representation.
Leclerc 9:42AM (11/03/2009)
Joe the jackass says it's the end of story. Thanks for letting us know when the sun rises and sets Joe. I thank god every day for you and your neverending words of wisdom.
Jerry Hightower 6:09PM (11/02/2009)
I'm excited already. At least we won't be watching cookie cutter cars and the "Buschwackers" won't have the advantage they used to have. It's like pro football players stepping down to play college. I still think that only the full time Nationwide drivers should be awarded points and the money.
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Parlay84 5:24PM (11/02/2009)
...Chevrolet and Toyota, both of which opted to base their cars on family sedans – the Impala and Camry...
For 2010 Toyota has a 2-door what?
Solara is gone baby gone, but the Yaris might work....lol
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hashiryu 10:31PM (11/02/2009)
Anybody thing the TC would look good as a NASCAR?
But anyway, that gallery up there is a whole lot of ugly..... Can NASCAR go back to be about stockcars?
someone 5:44PM (11/02/2009)
The Mustang looks HORRIBLE!!! and the Impala? really???...... do you really still make that? FAIL!
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Yaroukh 5:58PM (11/02/2009)
+1 on Mustang :(