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The evolution of NASCAR Cup Series cars
By Staff report | Monday, July 5, 2021
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Take a look back at the vast changes NASCAR's race cars have seen over the years. Starting from 1948 -- Generation 1 -- all the way to the 2022 NextGen car.
Pictured here is a pre-Generation 1 model, featuring pre-World War II styles.
Pictured here is a pre-Generation 1 model, featuring pre-World War II styles.
1939 Ford Coupe
-NASCAR's earliest races featured pre-World War II models due to a post-World War II shortage.
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Generation 1: 1948-1966
-Strictly stock frame and body.-Doors strapped shut, seat belts required.
-Heavy-duty rear axle required to keep cars from flipping during the race.
(Pictured)
1955 Hudson Hornet
-Hudson was the first manufacturer to provide factory support to NASCAR racing teams.
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1965 Ford Galaxie
-This is the last year Ford raced with a stock chassis before the introduction of the unibody Fairlane and Torino.
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Generation 2: 1967-1980
-Stock body with a modified frame.-Modified chassis became part of the spot with Holman-Moody, Banjo Matthews and Hutchenson-Pagan building chassis for teams.
(Pictured)
1967 Ford Fairlane
-Due to unibody construction on the stock vehicle, NASCAR allowed purpose built race chassis for safety.
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1973 Dodge Charger
-'The King' Richard Petty won his fourth Daytona 500 with Hemi power under the hood of this classic ride.
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1977 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
-American muscle hit the track in full force as aerodynamics became more advanced.
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Generation 3: 1981-1991
-Wheel base reduced to 110 inches.-NASCAR downsizes cars to better resemble cars on the showroom floor.
-Body panels still purchased through manufacturers.
(Pictured)
1981 Buick Regal
-This is the first 110-inch wheelbase model driven to a championship in NASCAR's premier series.
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1985 Ford Thunderbird
-Bill Elliott set several qualifying speed records well over 200 mph with this sleek hot rod.
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1987 Pontiac Grand Prix
-GM extended the rear windshield and shortened the deck lid of its Aero Coupe model.
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1981 Chevrolet Lumina
-'The Intimidator' became a legend in the third-generation Chevrolet.
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Generation 4: 1992-2006
-Highly-modified body.-Teams spent hours in wind tunnel to gain aero edge.
-Bumpers/nose and tail composed of molded fiberglass based off of production counterparts.
(Pictured)
1995 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
-Chevrolet switched from the Lumina to the Monte Carlo and Jeff Gordon drove it to four championships.
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1998 Ford Taurus
-This was the first four-door stock car car model approved for NASCAR competition in the modern era.
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2001 Dodge Intrepid
-Dodge made its return to NASCAR with this Bill Elliott-driven Intrepid owned by Ray Evernham.
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2006 Ford Fusion
-Matt Kenseth drove this Ford during the first full season of Generation 4 cars.
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Generation 5: 2007-2012
-Introduced new era of safety.-Common body and chassis for all manufacturers reduced need for track-specific race cars.
-Front splitter, rear wing offer teams aero adjustment options.
(Pictured)
2008 Chevrolet Impala SS
-Jimmie Johnson's championship car featured a front splitter, rear wing and a whole lot of dominance.
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2010 Toyota Camry
-Competitors and fans missed the look of the spoiler, so it returned at Martinsville on March 27, 2010.
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2012 Dodge Charger
-Brad Keselowski's Blue Deuce featured a new front splitter that more resembled production models.
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2012 Chevrolet Impala SS
-The end of Generation 5 also matched the end of the model in NASCAR.
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Generation 6: 2013-Present
-Manufacturer-unique body panels placed on existing chassis.-Enhanced body designs better resemble the cars found in showrooms across the United States.
-Design puts the 'stock' back into stock car racing.
(Pictured)
2013 Ford
-Brad Keselowksi's Blue Deuce.
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NextGen: Set for 2022 debut
-The body is designed to be symmetrical.-Wheels are going from 15 inches to 18 inches and will be aluminum and feature a single lug nut.
-Other new features include a sequential shifter and independent rear suspension.
(Pictured)
2022 Chevrolet, Toyota and Ford models
-May 5, 2021 at the worldwide unveil.Presented By: