Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2013 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[All four new Nationwide Series cars tested at Talladega]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/02/all-four-new-nationwide-series-cars-tested-at-talladega/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/02/all-four-new-nationwide-series-cars-tested-at-talladega/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/02/all-four-new-nationwide-series-cars-tested-at-talladega/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

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.


Gallery: Nationwide Series tests four new cars at Talladega


[Source: NASCAR]

All four new Nationwide Series cars tested at Talladega originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 02 Nov 2009 16:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Click above to view the video after the jump

Most NASCAR fans love a good crash, because there are few things in sports more spectacular than flying metal at 200 mph. Crashes are far less exciting (downright scary) when debris from those crashes make it into the stands, as seven race-goers at Talladega can attest.

Carl Edwards' car was clipped by Brad Keselowski on the last lap of the race, sending the number 99 Ford into the fence. Kaselowski was in Edwards' draft on the last lap, and when he made his move to take the checkered flag, Edwards tried to block too late, resulting in a massive wreck. Keselowski won the race in a finish for the ages, but the resulting crash shows just how dangerous 200 mph racecars can be.

The wreck could have been far worse if it weren't for an amazing new fence that kept the Edwards car from killing scores of onlookers. Instead, five of the injuries were not considered to be serious, while the other two weren't considered life threatening, with one woman reportedly suffering a broken jaw.

Just as impressive as the minimal injuries and Edwards' ability to extricate himself from the car unscathed, was this finish. In true Ricky Bobby style, Edwards removed himself from his wrecked race car and ran to the finish. Well played. Hat tip to Leonard!

[Source: MSNBC]

Continue reading REPORT: Seven NASCAR fans injured at Talladega in Carl Edwards crash [w/VIDEO]

REPORT: Seven NASCAR fans injured at Talladega in Carl Edwards crash [w/VIDEO] originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 27 Apr 2009 10:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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It's common for a car dealer to let someone take a new car out for a ride around the block, but this 2006 Monte Carlo went for a ride around an oval shaped 2.66 mile high-banked block with no posted speed limit.

When it finally come back, it was thoroughly customized. In fact, it looked strangely like the street version of a NASCAR Nextel Cup car after a race at the nearby Talledega Superspeedway. The car was covered with dirt and bugs, had a smashed right-side mirror and a scrape along the right rear fender, not to mention a couple hundred miles on the odometer.

"When I found out what happened, I called the guy I loaned it to," said Philip Alderman, the owner of Colonial Chevrolet-Buick in Talladega.

That call confirmed what he had heard. Rick Humphries, general manager of the Talladega Superspeedway, had borrowed the car for the day. Before becoming aligned with Ford, it was not uncommon for Colonial Chevrolet to routinely lend cars to track officials. When Dale Earnhardt Jr realized that he might have to drive a Ford around the track as a part of the ride and drive to show the new track surface, he wasn't enthused and went looking for a Chevy. The Monte Carlo was the obvious choice. Earnhardt grabbed they keys and promptly began taking folks around the track, often reaching speeds of over 130 miles per hour. All was going well until Jr. got a little high and "scraped" the wall, turning the brand new Monte Carlo into an instant collector's item.

For his part, Alderman doesn't seem particularly unhappy about the incident. In fact, the Dale Jr.-enhanced Monte is now the star of his showroom.

"We didn't even wash it," Alderman said. "We're willing to sell it, as is. Rick had Dale sign the dashboard and the sticker, and we laminated all the articles and pictures of the trips Dale took in the car around the speedway.

Loaning the Monte Carlo to track official: $0

Making repairs to the Monte Carlo upon return: $125

Having Dale Earnhardt Jr scrape the wall at Talladega with the Monte Carlo at 130 mph, autograph the sticker and the dahboard, generate untold dollars in media coverage for the dealership and NOT repair it: Priceless.

[Source: The Birmingham News]

Dale Jr. smacks loaner into Talladega wall originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 01 Dec 2006 14:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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