Monday, November 26, 2012

NASCAR Sprint Cup Series 'Sixth Generation Car' to Debut in 2013

Sporting News 

Now that the 2012 season is over, teams are turning their attention to the new 2013 Sprint Cup car.

While the car has been in the working stages for two years, teams just got many of the technical specifications in the last couple of weeks.

Let the testing and the science projects begin in earnest.

NASCAR has open tests set for Dec. 11-12 at Charlotte Motor Speedway, Jan. 10-12 at Daytona International Speedway and Jan. 17-18 back in Charlotte. Teams will be able to test whatever they want in those sessions, but NASCAR will continue to look at what it can do to make the new Cup car race better.

The new car will replace the so-called Car of Tomorrow, which debuted in 2007 and has been used in the Sprint Cup Series for the past six years. The 2013 model is designed to provide more manufacturer identity, and NASCAR is hoping it will be less aero-dependent and more conducive to passing and side-by-side racing.

NASCAR has tested the car at various tracks throughout this season. It took the car to the wind tunnel this past week and will release more rules prior to the December test.



The sixth-generation car look will debut with the opening of the 2013 Speedweeks, highlighted by the 55th running of the Daytona 500 on February 24 at Daytona International Speedway. Among the updates:

* The driver’s last name featured on the windshield;
* Sponsor decals will not be permitted on the headlights and taillights, two key distinguishing characteristics of the auto manufacturers’ brand;
* Car numbers will be moved from the lights to the front and rear bumpers;
* A single sponsor logo will be permitted on the roof under the number;
* Team sponsor decals will be permitted to extend past the front edge of the b-post;
* "Step and repeat" / background patterns will be permitted on the sides of the car;
* Due to the slightly smaller car, the car number will be reduced by 10% and the contingency decals will be reduced to 26 square inches.

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