NASCAR cars: it’s all in the body – Auto Racing

A lot of racecar enthusiasts consider NASCAR to be F1‘s bastard cousin. So many differences in the design and maneuverability of the cars, the attitude of the races and drivers. But any NASCAR fan will tell you that the cars themselves demonstrate a rare form of workmanship that is fast disappearing from the auto-racing.

A lot of racecar enthusiasts consider NASCAR to be F1‘s less-fortunate cousin. So many differences in the design and maneuverability of the cars, the attitude of the races and drivers. But any NASCAR fan will tell you that the cars themselves demonstrate a rare form of workmanship that is fast disappearing from the auto-racing.

Just about every part a NASCAR car is made by hand. The bodies are built from flat sheet metal, the engines are assembled from a bare block and the frame is constructed from steel tubing.

The frame consists of a structure of round and square steel tubing of varying weights and thickness. The bulk of the structure surrounds the driver. This part of the frame – the roll cage – is made of the thickest tubing and is designed to stay together, protecting the driver during every turn and in every potential or realized accident or crash.

The front and rear sections of the frame, called the front clip and the rear clip, are built from thinner steel tubing so that they will crush when the car hits another car or a wall. In addition to being collapsible, the front clip is designed to push the engine out of the bottom of the car – rather than into the driver’s compartment – during an accident. And if you don’t think that’s a good thing to know when you’re spinning out of a curve than you just don’t know NASCAR.

When the frame comes into the shop, the firewall (the metal panel separating the engine compartment from the driver’s compartment) and floor panels are welded in, along with various mounting brackets for things like the engine, suspension, seat, fuel cell and body.

The shape of the car is mostly determined by NASCAR rules. These rules are determined by a set of 30 templates, each shaped to fit a different contour of the car. For instance, the biggest template fits over the center of the car from front to back.

After the pieces are shaped, they are welded to the car and to each other, using the templates to check their location. Not all of the cars are built to the same specifications. Some cars are dedicated short-track cars, and others are dedicated super-speedway cars. There are some major differences between the two types.

Since the speeds are lower on the short race tracks, getting an adequate volume of cooling air to the engine and brakes can be a challenge — especially since the engines and brakes generate more heat during short-track racing. Conversely, the body on a super-speedway car is mounted forward on the frame to reduce drag.

Simple in theory, but advanced in application – the success of NASCAR racing cars goes deeper than just under the hood. It lies in the frame and the body itself.