How much horsepower does a Nascar have?
Time for some adrenaline-rushing racing! You all know NASCAR racers are super-fast. That also means NASCAR cars are super-fast. Have you ever thought of the engine behind these cars?
Every now and then, NASCAR comes with a set of requirements for its next race’s cars. For instance, in 2019, all NASCAR cars needed to have a 550-hp engine. What about in 2022?
This article looks into the essential details on the 2022 NASCAR, their series, and car style, as well as the engine’s horsepower requirements. Let’s begin.
What is NASCAR?
NASCAR is one of the USA’s most popular races. NASCAR stands for the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing, LLC. Now you get a clue of what we’re talking about here. The company was founded in 1948 and was privately owned by Bill France Sr. Jim France, Bill’s son, has been the current CEO since 2018, August 6.
Nascar racing started in 1949. The now-called Cup Series was known as a ‘Strictly Stock’ Division back then. A lot has changed, right? Cars used to race straight off the showroom. Currently, the vehicles used in Nascar’s most elite level have changed to ‘Strictly Race’ cars from the ‘Strictly Stock’ cars choice.
Each Year, Nascar holds over 1500 races in 48 US states at over a hundred tracks. It also has raced in Mexico, Canada, and Europe.
How Many Series are in the NASCAR Championship?
NASCAR oversees racing series in different formats and styles. The major national racing series are four, and they include:
- NASCAR Cup Series
- NASCAR Xfinity Series
- NASCAR Camping World Truck Series
- ARCA Menards Series
NASCAR Cup Series
The NASCAR Cup Series – Image: Wikipedia
The NASCAR Cup Series is the highest racing series of NASCAR. It began in 1949, immediately after NASCAR was formed, and was the ‘Strictly Stock’ division. From 1950 to 1970, it was referred to as the Grand National Division. In 1971, it was named the NASCAR Winston Cup Series after the series started leasing naming rights to the then R.J Reynolds Tobacco Company.
After similar instances of leasing naming rights, it was later given different names until 2020, when it was simply named the NASCAR Cup Series. NASCAR had moved to a tiered sponsorship structure where sponsors were referred to as Premier Partners. The partners include; Xfinity, GEICO, Coca-Cola, and Busch Beer.
NASCAR Xfinity Series
The NASCAR Xfinity – Image: Wikipedia
The NASCAR Xfinity Series is promoted as NASCAR’s Minor League. It aims to reach out to the ground drivers who would like to step up to the Cup series (NASCAR’s top-level circuit. Xfinity races are mostly held a day to a Cup Series.
Like the Cup Series, the Xfinity series underwent name changes and is now sponsored by Comcast and Xfinity.
NASCAR Camping World Truck Series
The NASCAR Camping World Truck Series – Image: Wikipedia
The NASCAR Camping World Truck Series is wholly owned and run by NASCAR. It is a Pickup truck racing series and is the only one in NASCAR that allows modified pickup trucks. Of course, the pickup trucks used for the races are different from the original ones. If you are interested in other pickup trucks or off-road, you can visit off-roadinternational.com.
This Camping World Truck Series is a national division racing series and third-tier behind the Xfinity Series and Cup Series. Like all other upper-tier racing series, it has changed names several times before settling on those mentioned in 2021.
ARCA Menards Series
The Menards Series is the premier division of the ARCA (Automobile Racing Club of America). It is mainly considered a semi-professional stock car racing and a feeder series into the significant national NASCAR racing series.
How much horsepower does a Nascar have in 2022? (The NextGen Cup Series)
NASCAR has announced that the 2022 NASCAR season will feature a 670 horsepower engine and a 4-inch spoiler. The high horsepower and low downforce have been highly popular among contestants and fans. Those are the requirements of all contestant cars, and it is a significant upgrade from the previous years’ 550hp package used since 2019.
NASCAR’s CRDO stated that the specs are in good range to attract new automakers to take part.
Is the Next-Gen car safe?
The question of safety is of paramount importance, especially when we’re talking about racing. The Next-Gen car was put into a crash-test setup, where a dummy was placed in the cabin, but the sled didn’t let the car from hitting the wall.
However, even with an alleged failed crash test, NASCAR rose to defend itself against the claims and proved that the NASCAR’s crash test results were excellent and comparable to other non-Next-Gen crash tests.
In 2021, NASCAR stated that the car ‘performed as designed’ after Austin Dillon’s head-on crash in the Charlotte Motor Speedway. He was uninjured, proving that the Next Gen Car is satisfactorily safe.
Again, NASCAR has had a reputation of safety with their cars, as no driver has lost a life in NASCAR’s top three Race Series since 2001.
Other (Minor) NASCAR Racing Series
The four above racing series are the major NASCAR racing series available. However, there are several other regional races and tours. NASCAR even went ahead to include Electronic leagues and races. The minor Racing Series include;
ARCA Menards Series East/West – It is a Regional Division Racing Series started in 1987 and is conducted in the United States with Stock cars. Its sponsor is Menards.
Whelen Modified Tour – This is a Whelen-sponsored Regional Racing Series whose inaugural season was in 1948. It is conducted in the US and features Modified Stock cars.
Weekly Racing Series – The Weekly Racing Series is conducted in the US and Canada and is a Local Division Racing Series.
Pinty’s Series – The Pinty’s Series started in 1986 and held races in Canada and a single race in the US. It allows races from the Latest model cars. It is sponsored by Pinty’s.
PEAK Mexico Series – The PEAK Mexico Series is a NASCAR Racing Series in Mexico. It is among the most prestigious racing events in the country.
FedEx Challenge Series – The FedEx Challenge Series is a Mexican-based NASCAR racing series that races only V6 engine cars. FedEx sponsors the Series.
Whelen Euro Series – The Whelen Euro Series is a Whelen-sponsored NASCAR Race Series in Europe. It features late models.
eRacing Series
Coca-Cola iRacing Series – Sponsored by Coca-Cola
Heat Pro League – Sponsored by NASCAR Heat 4
Ignite Series – Sponsored by iRacing
Sum Up
The NASCAR events are among the most anticipated for racing enthusiasts. If you find yourself in a conversation with peers on NASCAR, this article has given you the essential information you need to know and the requirements of the 2022 NASCAR. What else do you need to know as you wait on this year’s season?
Writer Bio
I’m Lucas, a car mechanic, and blogger. I created off-roadinternational.com – an off-road blog to share Tips & Trick for Off-road vehicles and reviews top off-road-related products.
I have over 5 years of experience in the field and now I want to share it with everyone who has the same hobby off-road.
