Car Of Tommarow: Nascar's new Formula.

[Brock Samson]

 pics at the link:
from the wesite www.autoextremist.com

so who's gonna bail from NASCAR fellas?...



http://www.autoextremist.com/page3.shtml



 
by Peter M. DeLorenzo


Editor's Note: Our Fumes column is written by our Publisher, Peter M. DeLorenzo (aka "Ethanol Boy" and formerly known as "Methanol Boy") - as it has been since Day One of this publication. - Janice J. Putman

NASCAR's Big Lie (aka the "Car of Tomorrow") is the trigger that will send one of the Detroit Three packing.

Detroit. NASCAR tested its much-hyped "Car of Tomorrow" last Monday at Talladega, and by all accounts, NASCAR was right back where they were with the old cars. The Associated Press quoted driver Jamie McMurray as saying, "We were a good five miles slower per lap than what we ran in Sunday's race. And I didn't feel like the cars drove better. You still get loose when guys get in your rear quarter panel. Really, I think this test is more for NASCAR than for us." Ah yes, nothing like the hired help succinctly stating what the "Car of Tomorrow" is all about, in spite of the Corporate Line. According to the NASCAR spin-meisters, the "Car of Tomorrow" has been a five-year project aimed at improved safety, performance, competition and cost efficiency. It is scheduled to run 16 events in '07, 26 events in '08, and be used at all NASCAR events in 2009. But in reality, the "Car of Tomorrow" is NASCAR's attempt to control all aspects of car-building and a calculated attempt at removing all creativity (i.e., "cheating") from the art of constructing "stock" cars for the France family's marketing juggernaut/"racertainment" series.

But the "COT" will have other, unintended consequences too.

First of all, the "COT" is an unmitigated disaster in the looks department, no matter how creative teams get with their sponsor presentations (see below), which is exactly what NASCAR didn't need since the current template-driven cars have all the distinctiveness and appeal of a well-worn bar of soap. And the "Big Lie" surrounding this visual atrocity is that the marketing suits in Daytona Beach would like you all to believe that the "COT" actually improves manufacturer recognition. Take a real good look at the car below. If you can spot the "Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS" in that picture, then you need to apply for a job in NASCAR's marketing department immediately - you won't even have to have the NASCAR chip inserted or wear the NASCAR Kool-Aid patch - you're already sign, sealed, delivered and way down the road with your self-medicated NASCAR deification program. Manufacturer recognition with the current NASCAR cars - what with their cutesy decals indicating the headlights and taillights, and the grille openings meant to "suggest" the street cars - are a joke (one look at the "Ford Fusion" NASCAR front end is all the evidence you need), but the "COT" is even three steps further removed from that.

So, here we are, the Detroit Three are cumulatively spending in the range of $140 million each annually for the privilege of running in NASCAR. That's everything - direct payments to the teams and drivers, promotional events and advertising, and all the other associated hoo-ha that goes into it. And what exactly are the Detroit manufacturers getting for their involvement again? Let's see, since the recent explosion in NASCAR's popularity beginning in 1996 (which coincides nicely with the split between CART and the IRL by the way), the Detroit Three have lost ten points of market share to their Asian and European rivals - and the trend is pointing downward. GM alone has lost five percentage points in the market since then. So, you tell me how the explosion in popularity in NASCAR has helped Detroit's cause in any way, shape or form in the last ten years. Detroit's involvement in NASCAR has accomplished one thing - it has continued to help maintain the Detroit Three's image with people who already are predisposed to buying domestic products - a faction that's dwindling with each passing year.

NASCAR's "Car of Tomorrow" is simply a precursor to NASCAR-branded "specials" that will be marketed and branded as such in a 1/18th scale model coming to a hobby shop near you. With the "COT" NASCAR has served notice that they don't need the Detroit manufacturers and they don't even need Toyota for that matter - because they're bigger than the players involved. And when, not if, but when one of the Detroit Three walks away from NASCAR (exactly about the time some marketing "genius" in Detroit realizes that while they're maintaining an image with their loyal customers by racing in NASCAR, the customers they really need to go after are buying elsewhere), the Poo-Bahs in Daytona Beach will spew pleasantries and extend their gratitude for what that particular manufacturer has done for the "sport" over the years, but silently they'll be saying, "Don't let the screen door hit your ass on the way out because we're movin' on."

Look for the apologists at the various media outlets that NASCAR owns to be in full song, extolling the "beauty" of the "COT" and saying how much better it will be for the sport in the coming months.

Don't you believe it.

NASCAR "Car of Tomorrow" is nothing but the "Big Lie" - coming to a track and a souvenir stand near you. 

[BigBlackDodge]

Yep, those are some really ugly cars........ricer wing and all.


BBD

[Pistolpete]

as soon as that crap hits the tracks - I'm tapping out (and I'm one of the new fans)
sorry NASCAR, I aint buyin it.

awesome post BTW

[nitrometal]

Amen to that brothers   

[Mopar440+6]

Look for the apologists at the various media outlets that NASCAR owns to be in full song, extolling the "beauty" of the "COT" and saying how much better it will be for the sport in the coming months.

Wonder if Trevor Creed works for NASCAR on the side?

I've never been a fan of NASCAR and looks as though I never will be. It's called stock car racing for a reason! They really need to forget this cookie-cutter, every car HAS to be the exact same bullsh*% and get back to the real racing. Give me SCCA GT or Formula series racing any day...

[TruckDriver]

Yep, those are some really ugly cars........ricer wing and all.
BBD

I hate to say it, but I think the current cars are ugly too. If you ever seen the old CASCAR cars, or even the HOOTERS cup cars, they look a hell of a lot closer to factory then any thing NASCAR has run for the past 10 years.

These are CASCAR cars;

[Brock Samson]

 Anyone remember the International Race of Champions?..



I belive it started in the mid to late 1970s and used identical Camaros (IROCS) at first 'n later switched to Porsches (later went to Jag XK 220s ?    anyone know about that?..a sweet piece those

http://www.pistonheads.com/milestones/xj220.htm  )

dodge daytonas were used too (sorry wing car guys... they were of the 'k-car variety)

though these were rear-wheel drive and used V-8s...

  ... anyhow.. eventually they ended up using Firebirds.. Anyhow the races pitted the best drivers in the world and champions from differend racing leagues aagainst each other on different type of tracks with the idea that the best driver would win...



  So it seems to me that's the direction NASCAR is headed,.. they will endup having a monopoly supplying the vehicles..
and you can apply your Decals... weather they say FORD, Chevlolet, Dodge, Toyota or Cherry (Chinese cars comming soon to a dealer (walmart?..  ) near you...
So,.. I can understand keeping costs down, but personally I like to see the technical arms race between manufactureres brands companies whatever...
  I sure miss the racing era from 1950-1980... there was so much stuff going on!  Such great drivers and venues!
I miss the Le mans starts...


"The races used to begin with what became known as the "Le Mans start": cars are lined up on one side of the track, drivers on the other. When the French flag dropped at 16:00, the drivers ran across the track to their cars, entered and started them. This became a safety issue after the introduction of safety belt harnesses in 1967, which needed to be properly strapped, preferably by mechanics. At that time pilots entered the first curves with unfastened belts and locked their belts in the straight, if possible.

In 1969, for his first Le Mans 24 hours, a young Belgian talent and F1 GP winner, Jacky Ickx, made a pointed demonstration of the danger of this start method, when instead of running across the track to his machine, he slowly walked towards it, then entered his car and locked the safety belts properly. Sadly, in the first lap of the race, the privateer racer John Woolfe was killed. Despite starting in the last position with an outdated Ford GT40, Ickx managed to win the race in a dramatic finish 24 hours later by only 120 meters. Interestingly, while driving a Porsche 911 to Paris after the race, Ickx was involved in a road accident where he escaped unharmed, having worn his seatbelt.

So the traditional Le Mans practice was partially discontinued the next year in 1970; for this year, the cars were still lined up in echelon formation along the pit straight, with engines off, but the drivers were strapped in prior to the start. On the starter's signal, the drivers could start their engines and start the race. In 1971, a full rolling start was introduced, as used in the Indianapolis 500, thus called the "Indianapolis Start"." quote from...
  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/24_Hours_of_Le_Mans




 

http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.mlodeent.com/IROC/buir74t.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.mlodeent.com/IROC/iroc.htm&h=100&w=150&sz=10&hl=en&start=82&tbnid=nl6mIyX1EW8P5M:&tbnh=64&tbnw=96&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dinternational%2Brace%2Bof%2Bchampions%26start%3D80%26ndsp%3D20%26svnum%3D10%26hl%3Den%26lr%3D%26sa%3DN

i'm done.. 

[73chgrSE]

Stock cars will never be as cool looking as they were in the late 60's and 70's.

[BigBlackDodge]

Yep, those are some really ugly cars........ricer wing and all.
BBD

I hate to say it, but I think the current cars are ugly too. If you ever seen the old CASCAR cars, or even the HOOTERS cup cars, they look a hell of a lot closer to factory then any thing NASCAR has run for the past 10 years.

These are CASCAR cars;

Oh, I agree with you there. But that funky chin spoiler thing makes them even more wierd looking.


BBD

[Lightning]

I think NASCAR's dead as we know it......good thing I'm into road racing, rally racing, and drifting much more these days.

[4forty]

" Wonder if Trevor Creed works for NASCAR on the side? " agree with that!   I hardly watch it anymore, rather watch old tapes of 60's-80's races

[Brock Samson]

i love back in the day...  :yesnod:don't care for Jr. though.. 

[nitrometal]

i love back in the day...  :yesnod:don't care for Jr. though.. 

I love the "Back in the Day" show also. It brings back a lot of great memories 
I wish that it was available on DVD.  I looked at the Speed Channel website and they rarely release their shows.

[Schuler]

I can easily see as the car of tomarrow comes and common engines (coming soon they say) that the big 3 may leave as the other big 3 (from japan) join. Toyota is dominating the truck series this year and I dont' watch any truck series races anymore. I probobly won't watch cup anymore either.

[kab69440]

"Hey, there ain't nothin' stock 'bout a stock car..."    Harry Hogge(Robert Duvall) in Days of Thunder

[Ponch ®]

Stock cars will never be as cool looking as they were in the late 60's and 70's.

The cars might have been cool, but the racing was boring as hell. There were only two or three cars capable of winning a race - You knew it was gonna be either Petty, Pearson or Yaborough. Not too mention that they would have the rest of the field lapped several times one quarter of the way through the race.

Say what you will about the ugly cars, the commercialization, and the 'sell out' mentality of today's NASCAR, but at least the racing is better and can be upredictable - on any given race, you know that at least half of the cars in the field have a pretty good shot at winning the race.

[Lightning]

Stock cars will never be as cool looking as they were in the late 60's and 70's.

The cars might have been cool, but the racing was boring as hell. There were only two or three cars capable of winning a race - You knew it was gonna be either Petty, Pearson or Yaborough. Not too mention that they would have the rest of the field lapped several times one quarter of the way through the race.

Say what you will about the ugly cars, the commercialization, and the 'sell out' mentality of today's NASCAR, but at least the racing is better and can be upredictable - on any given race, you know that at least half of the cars in the field have a pretty good shot at winning the race.

while true, I'm gonna give it next year before I decide if I'm gonna watch it or not......they're thinking about using the Bud Shootout as a launching point/field test of the car.

[Vainglory, Esq.]

I think NASCAR's dead as we know it......good thing I'm into road racing, rally racing, and drifting much more these days.

While I'm no fan of the COT idea and hate Toyota too, at least it's not drifting.

Sorry dude, but that's unbelievably gay.

[Ponch ®]

I think NASCAR's dead as we know it......good thing I'm into road racing, rally racing, and drifting much more these days.

While I'm no fan of the COT idea and hate Toyota too, at least it's not drifting.

Sorry dude, but that's unbelievably gay.

hmmm...I don't know meing...it's catching on. Last month before the Cup race here, a bunch of NASCAR drivers (Biffle, your boy Kahne, and others) showed up at Irwindale for a drift event.

[Brock Samson]

perhaps if they raced on dirt tracks?.. 

i've seen alot of dirt track races here at the Cow Palace, it's basicly a tight oval in a stadium and it ROCKS!!! 

[Lightning]

it's been working for the ARCA series, that would be pretty cool if the Cup cars did it.

[daytonalo]

As you all know I hate nascar, that said the cot hopefully will be the final nail in the coffin ! One more thing , I didnt notice a trailer hitch,you know for the DOUBLEWIDE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 

[Brock Samson]

we know your game...   

[Mike DC]

   
"Performance?" 
Why the hell would anybody think NASCAR even WANTS  the cars to be any faster?   They've been slowing the cars down with restrictor plates for 20 years!


Modern production cars, NASCARs, the "car of tomorrow" . . . they're ALL ugly boring shapes that look like bars of soap.  What's the difference?
The "Car of Tomorrow" was supposed to be cheaper, safer, and easier to police cheating.

 

[Lightning]

   
"Performance?" 
Why the hell would anybody think NASCAR even WANTS  the cars to be any faster?   They've been slowing the cars down with restrictor plates for 20 years!


Modern production cars, NASCARs, the "car of tomorrow" . . . they're ALL ugly boring shapes that look like bars of soap.  What's the difference?
The "Car of Tomorrow" was supposed to be cheaper, safer, and easier to police cheating.

 

And it shall be, if it doesnt put the smaller teams out of business first.

[Lowprofile]

I think NASCAR's dead as we know it......good thing I'm into road racing, rally racing, and drifting much more these days.

While I'm no fan of the COT idea and hate Toyota too, at least it's not drifting.

Sorry dude, but that's unbelievably gay.

I Agree. NASCAR is its own worst enemy. Part of the fun of the "old days" was that you knew somebody was always bending & tweeking the rules, trying to get over. And the cars were for the most part, just like the ones on the showroom floor. I think that is going to be the final undoing of the series. I don't think they can sustain the growth of the last ten years. I believe they are nearing their peak.....IMHO. 


BTW, I could be totally off the mark. 

[daytonalo]

AMEN , HOPEFULLY THEY WILL ALL GO BACK TO THE TRAILER PARK AND HAVE SEX WITH THEIR OWN FAMILY MEMBERS AND STAY THERE !!!!!!!!!!!

[Brock Samson]

what is your problem?!

[Arthu®]

what is your problem?!

I haven't the slightest idea, but he seems pretty much angry with the world and is sharing his inner feelings with us.

Arthur

[Brock Samson]

hard to belive someone is actually angryer then I am..


< me... 

[BigBlackDodge]

what is your problem?!

He's a Troll.  ..............a very bored one.


BBD

[Lightning]

yep.  There's no way you can't keep the guy on the Aero boards?

[Johnny SixPack]

AMEN , HOPEFULLY I WILL GO BACK TO THE TRAILER PARK AND HAVE SEX WITH MY OWN FAMILY MEMBERS AND STAY THERE !!!!!!!!!!!

Dude, whatever you dream of on your time is your own business, but can you please just STFU already?

I think everyone got the gist of your feelings back in the now locked Dale Jr. thread.

M-kay, Sport?

Sweet.

[NHCharger]

I've been losing interest in NA$CAR for the last several years now. It's not the COT disaster. It's the iron handed way the France family runs it. Once Dale Sr. died NASCAR decided it was no longer acceptable to rub fenders, voice your opinion, carry a grudge, point your finger at another driver, have a fist fight on the back stretch, etc. They've taken all the fun out of watching the race. Anyone else notice all the empty seats at the last race?

[daytonalo]

Well spoken , I agree ! Now for the rest of you who worship those clowns ,jump off the sinking ship !

[Shakey]

I believe that one is either a fan of motorsports or not.

Do you enjoy the competitve nature of racing?

Does it really matter what the cars look like or what colour they are painted?

I'm a fan of all types of motorsports - man teamed up with a machine to compete with another.  The skill of the driver and the technology available ensure great entertainment, all of the time.

Yes, some racing series are more exciting than others and some, like myself, have a favourite series but in the end I'd rather watch any type of race than some of the other sports on television or infomercials on a Sunday afternoon.

[73chgrSE]

I have to admit I would hate to see it happen but if Dodge left nascar again I'ld stop watching it again. I quit watching it for 2 decades, 80's and 90's. Didn't Dodge come back to nascar in 2001? Wasn't their first race back "daytona" the race where Dale sr died?

[daytonalo]

I only get excited with sports I can participate in , like drag racing and offshore boat racing . I do not want to live vicariously through others . Live your own dreams , and not getting wood for guys on TV making left turns !!!!!!!!

[english68]

I can easily see as the car of tomarrow comes and common engines (coming soon they say) that the big 3 may leave as the other big 3 (from japan) join. Toyota is dominating the truck series this year and I dont' watch any truck series races anymore. I probobly won't watch cup anymore either.

cars of tomarrow? must be the Chevrolet Courgette!

[NHCharger]

Well spoken , I agree !

Oh the shame. Had I only known.

[daytonalo]

Finally you guys are coming around , next step         walking upright !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Mike DC]

 
So what if NASCAR is more popular than ever these days?  "American Idol" is popular too.

NASCAR is no longer a car-guy's sport.  It reflects real auto racing like "Pimp My Ride" reflects old car restoration.

 

[Shakey]

 
So what if NASCAR is more popular than ever these days?  "American Idol" is popular too.

NASCAR is no longer a car-guy's sport.  It reflects real auto racing like "Pimp My Ride" reflects old car restoration.

 

What is real auto racing?

[Mike DC]

 
I don't see any of the professional ranks as very relevant anymore. 
They've learned how to make vehicles VERY fast, but it's all gotten too specialized to be of much interest at this point.  When race teams start data-logging their suspension travel & ground clearance (which is probably being measured in millimeters) at any given point on the track . . . my eyes glaze over.

I still like some amateur racing though.  Dirt track, or stuff like the Nevada "Silver State Classic," or even European-style WRC Rally stuff, etc. 
Most of it will probably never be top-of-the-heap sports anymore, but they look like fun.

 

[Shakey]

All the technical stuff aside - does one not simply enjoy witnessing man teamed with machine to compete with another to see who actually goes faster than the other?

[Johnny SixPack]

All the technical stuff aside - does one not simply enjoy witnessing man teamed with machine to compete with another to see who actually goes faster than the other?

Sure!

But watchin' a bunch of over-payed media queens race around a glorified traffic circle isn't near as much fun as watchin' ralley cars and road racing IMO.

[Lightning]

All the technical stuff aside - does one not simply enjoy witnessing man teamed with machine to compete with another to see who actually goes faster than the other?

Sure!

But watchin' a bunch of over-payed media queens race around a glorified traffic circle isn't near as much fun as watchin' ralley cars and road racing IMO.

yep.  Watching the Showroom Stock classes at the Runoffs is really fun.

[daytonalo]

Finally , you guys are on my side . Some guys on this post think NASCAR should be an Olympic sport !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[BigBlackDodge]

Finally , you guys are on my side . Some guys on this post think NASCAR should be an Olympic sport !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Who said that? Judging by the NASCAR stuff in your garage...it might be you!


BBD

[Lightning]

Finally , you guys are on my side . Some guys on this post think NASCAR should be an Olympic sport !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Who said that? Judging by the NASCAR stuff in your garage...it might be you!


BBD

Agreed. 

[daytonalo]

I'm far from a poster boy for nascar ! Jerrys kids maybe , but definetely not nascar !!!!!!!!!!!

[derailed]

Anyone else notice all the empty seats at the last race?

I use to love Nascar back in the 80s but lost interest in it. I think its pretty lame these days and has been for awhile. Seems like most of the fans out there anymore are soccer moms. Saw a cool bumper sticker at the strip Sunday that said "500 miles is a drive, a quarter mile is a race" Thought that was pretty good.

[FastbackJon]

Need to go back to the days when the NASCAR vehicle had the same body proportions as the car in the showroom, and the numbers on the hood of the NASCAR vehicle matched up to the displacement of an engine you could actually buy in the dealership in that production car. What ever happened to that?