| In NASCAR, the cars need to be stock and are | | | | inside a NASCAR are a reinforced gas tank, HANS |
| sedans. The majority of the cars are American made. | | | | (head and neck support system), roll cage and a |
| Chevy and ford seem to be the preferred make for | | | | windshield made of Lexan. The same material that is |
| NASCAR driver's. Although, recently you might have | | | | used to make riot shields. |
| noticed an increase in Toyota vehicles as well. | | | | All of the cars that are raced in the Nextel Cup |
| NASCAR does have specific requirements for the | | | | Series have criteria they must follow. These |
| cars that enter the races. | | | | specifications are V8 engines with a carburetor and |
| Part of the requirements are stock parts, for | | | | rear wheel drive. All of the motors have to have a |
| example, the hood and trunk are stock. Although, | | | | pushrod valve train. Each of the cylinders has to be |
| there can be modifications done to other parts of | | | | worked by two valves, with a limitation of 5.8 liters |
| the vehicles, they had to say within guidelines set by | | | | displacement. With specifications like these, a |
| NASCAR. For the most part, the only thing that is | | | | NASCAR could easily run at over 9,000 rpm. |
| left as stock on the cars is the hood and the trunk. | | | | However, because there is also a criteria for the |
| In the recent past it was common to notice | | | | transmission in a NASCAR, they are unable to run at |
| similarities among the cars in a race. Typically the | | | | the 9,000 rpm. The gear ratio is 1:1 and the rest of |
| majority of the cars weigh around 3,300 pounds and | | | | the ratios are set at 1.28:1. Technically, these cars |
| the wheelbase is around 110 inches. The shape of the | | | | could run in the Formula One races. |
| cars needs to meet specific criteria. This is to ensure | | | | In 2006, NASCAR announced the new template for |
| equality among the driver's. One would have to win | | | | the cars. The CAR of Tomorrow, seems to still have |
| because of their skill, not because they had different | | | | many of the drivers and teams concerned. Although, |
| aerodynamics. Also, this would minimize some of the | | | | with the change comes better safety, many are still |
| tactics used by the drivers to get ahead. | | | | wanting to stay with the current design template. |
| Safety is very important when it comes to the | | | | The new design will be enforced in 2009 for all |
| design of the cars and the interior of them as well. | | | | competitors. |
| Some of the features for safety that can be found | | | | |