NASCAR All-Star race to be run with Generation 7 elements
Shane Walters
We’ll get our first look at possible elements for the 2021 Gen 7 race car this weekend at Charlotte Motor Speedway
The NASCAR All-Star race is up next. There’s $1,000,000 on the line for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series field. The race will be run at night on May 18.
And just like the previous year’s event, we’re going to see a preview or a test of the future 2021 rules package. It will be out first look at possible elements of the Gen-7 NASCAR race car.
The front splitter will have two steps. The hood will have a duct in it for the first time. Both of these elements are designed to reduce the effects of dirty air.
When a car gets close to another in anticipation of a pass, the air is shut off to the front of the car. That makes the car push up the track and makes it hard to complete a pass.
The hood duct will force air out through the hood. That air will then land on the rear spoiler.
Steve O’Donnell on the 2019 All-Star rules package
“Both around aero, with the step splitter and then cooling through the hood of the car,” NASCAR EVP Steve O’Donnell details the new elements for this weekend’s racing via Sirius XM NASCAR Radio.
“As technology and engine development — The Doug Yates of the world. He’s one of the smartest guys out there — It’s all about how you can cool the engine and how that affects aero.”
“If we can cool some of the engine temps by clearing some of the air through the hood, that allows us to separate some of the aero development from the engine development.”
“It can help on costs and potentially also help on the racing. That’s put in place to see how it works for that race. Same with the step slitter.”
“It’s all kind of a continuation to that next-gen car. To see if these are areas we want to put in place when we unveil that car.”
Where do the ideas come from?
All of these items, they can come from the NASCAR R&D Center, the industry, our OEMs, you look at other forms of racing and what they may have done. What’s worked? What’s failed?”
“You take everything that’s out there. There’s a ton of racing out there in the world. And there’s a big desire from an aerodynamic standpoint to always continue development.”
“We look at all that and see what are some of the things we can do? First, can it help the racing on the track? Then, how can you be more efficient for the race teams.”
“That’s a win for us if we can do both of those things. We’re gonna try it.”