NASCAR has introduced rear damper lifters in response to mobility issues caused by flat tires in Next Gen cars.
NASCAR has introduced a transformative update to the Cup Series beginning with the upcoming race at Michigan International Speedway. Rear damper lifters will be incorporated into the vehicles, aiming to address mobility issues on the track caused by flat tires.
The change comes as a direct response to the challenges posed by the Next Gen race cars introduced by NASCAR, which have been noteworthy for their advanced design features like 18-inch wheels and a single lug nut configuration. However, these cars lack an inner liner and experience reduced ground clearance when tires go flat, making them susceptible to becoming immobile or suffering extensive underbody damage.In collaboration with Öhlins, the official shock absorber vendor for the series, NASCAR developed a lifter mechanism integrated into the rear dampers of the vehicles. A recent rules bulletin laid out the technical specifics of this system prior to its debut at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.Elton Sawyer, NASCAR's Senior Vice President of Competition, explained the functionality of the new system, as quoted by RACER.com:'It's a system that's on the rear of the car; it works around the shock absorber.'As everyone knows, the Next Gen has been really, really good for our racing. I think we've had some phenomenal racing.'What came with that and we noticed that immediately at Auto Club two years ago, is when this car has a flat tire or four flats particularly, it can't go anywhere.'The lifter system involves a 'quick connect' mechanism along the A-post of the cars which allows track service workers to attach an air hose, effortlessly initiating the lifting process.'There's a quick connect that will be connected or installed along the A-post of the Cup cars that when the track service worker gets there, they basically can take an air hose, if you will, and pump that up to the rear and the tire will lift up and then gives the drivers the ability to drive back to pit road.'Today, we're having to hook them up or push them; we're way too far in the middle or deep end of having to get cars back to pit road so they can start their service. So, trying to keep that more on the team's side.'As we get to the incident, plug in there, put a little air to the rear lifters that basically picks up the back of the car. Then, when they get to pit road, there's a valve there. They just hit the valve and the rear of the car will go back down.'
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
What Bubba Wallace wants Chicago to learn about NASCAR during the 2024 NASCAR Chicago Street RaceChicago has plenty of untapped potential for Bubba Wallace as a driver, but also for the rest of the sport. That's why Wallace wants Chicago to learn about what exactly goes into the races he stars in.
Read more »
NASCAR takeaways: Ryan Blaney caps big Penske weekend in NASCAR, IndyCarRyan Blaney showed he's a viable threat to repeat as Cup champion on the same weekend fellow Penske drivers swept the IndyCar doubleheader.
Read more »
NASCAR News: Jimmy Johnson's Legacy Motor Club Team Faces Radical Changes As Key Director ReplacedNASCAR legend Jimmy Johnson's Legacy Motor Club team is undergoing significant changes, including a new general manager.
Read more »
NASCAR News: Denny Hamlin Slams Next-Gen Cars - 'Worst In NASCAR'Denny Hamlin criticizes the Next Gen cars as the 'worst cars in NASCAR' following the Brickyard 400.
Read more »
Why NASCAR's Caution Call in the Brickyard 400 Doesn't Sit Well with Dale Earnhardt JrNASCAR driver Dale Earnhardt Jr. expressed frustration with NASCAR's officiating decisions during the Brickyard 400.
Read more »
NASCAR News: Danica Patrick's Father Speaks Out On Dealing With Online AbuseDanica Patrick's father reveals the challenges of dealing with online abuse in NASCAR.
Read more »