NASCAR: the Future

Oval Racing Technology Issue 14 • February 2016 • www.racecar-engineering.com/stockcar Sponsored by NASCAR: The future FROM THE PUBLISHER OF Untitled-73 1 22/01/2016 09:04 CONTENTS he current edition of Racecar Engineering have caused some mischief. It just goes to show features on the cover the new Ferrari how hard NASCAR is working and how much CONTENTS T488 GTE, which competes in the it is willing to experiment with its stockcars to WeatherTech United Sportscar Championship, produce even better racing. 5 STOCKCAR NEWS as well as the World Endurance Championship We also look at the New Zealand Sprint NASCAR’s new Charter system for Sprint Cup (WEC). One of the key features of the new Car series and a company that produces high- teams; GM opens new engine race facility; plus Ferrari is its front splitter, which is raised specification powerplants, Hartley Engines. an update on who’s gone where for 2016 through the middle in order to aid the driver For those interested in the World Endurance with pitch sensitivity, which was a particular Championship and Le Mans, you might 8 X-3 TAKES THE NEXT STEP issue of heavy GT racecars in general, and with recognise the Hartley name; Brendon Hartley NASCAR continues its investigation into the the Ferrari in particular. won the WEC last year and the company is next generation model; looking at front splitters Present at the ‘Roar before the 24’, the test owned by his brother, Nelson. Kiwi racers are and cooling on its experimental stockcar day at the start of January for the Daytona 24 more prone to building their own than buying hours, was Eric Jacuzzi, senior aerodynamicist/ in from abroad, due to the country’s remote 16 HARTLEY ENGINES vehicle performance engineer at NASCAR, who location, and the results are fantastic. Nelson Hartley’s New Zealand-based company has led the development of the next generation Finally, Danny Nowlan looks at how and its home-grown 900bhp engines, built for NASCAR through the X-3 programme. Eric simulation can help to set up a car even when the hugely popular Kiwi Sprint Car series was amused to see that Ferrari had reached there is no baseline data available, and thus put a similar conclusion to him, and explains in the team and car into the right ballpark before 22 DANNY NOWLAN these pages why he opted for the raised central it has turned a wheel, greatly accelerating the Our man explains why it’s a fallacy to assume splitter configuration, and what the drivers test programme. Meanwhile, Ricardo Divila that without baseline data simulation is made of it in testing. If you flick through to ponders the ethics of motor racing; who really impossible, and tells us how it should be done page 8, you will find Eric’s assessment of the does decide what is legal and what is not? splitter, how NASCAR is looking at cooling, We hope that you enjoy this latest edition of 31 STRAIGHT TALK and how a new rear aero configuration might Stockcar Engineering. Ricardo Divila contemplates the importance of ethics in racecar engineering, and why the decision to cheat, or not to cheat, is all yours Produced by The Chelsea Magazine Company STOCKCAR ENGINEERING 14 - FEBRUARY 2016 - www.racecar-engineering.com 3 STOCKCAR - NEWS NASCAR Sprint Cup teams secure greater stake in the top tier series NASCAR has introduced a franchise-style and the team model as a whole, which is good NASCAR CEO and chairman Brian France ‘Charter’ system in its flagship Sprint Cup for NASCAR, our fans, drivers, sponsors and said: ‘[This] represents a landmark change to Series, with the aim of instilling long term the thousands of people who we employ. the business model of team ownership in stability while also giving teams a bigger ‘NASCAR and the teams share a desire to NASCAR. The Charter agreements provide say in how the series is run. preserve, promote and grow the sport and nine years of stability for NASCAR and the Teams have been pushing for some kind ultimately produce great racing. These common teams to focus on growth initiatives together of franchise arrangement since the 1990s and goals served as the foundation for discussions with our track partners, auto manufacturers, the governing body has now granted 36 teams and helped bring us to this agreement.’ drivers and sponsors.’ Charters, which will last for nine years. A chartered team – which refers to a single racecar rather than the organisation that runs the car – is guaranteed a slot on the grid for all NASCAR Sprint Cup races. The maximum grid size has also been reduced for this year, to 40 cars from 43. This is not just about guaranteeing entries, though, and the teams will also to have a much bigger say in the way the Sprint Cup is run with the setting up of a new Team Owner Council. NASCAR says the system will mean that chartered teams will be rewarded with more predictable revenue over the nine years of the agreement. It added: ‘Along with improved financial certainty, the new framework is designed to increase the long-term market value of teams and provide the ability to plan farther ahead with existing, new and prospective partners.’ The Charters are also transferable, which will also help to boost the long-term value of individual Sprint Cup entries. Rob Kauffmann, co-owner of Chip Ganassi Racing (which has Charters for its No.1 and No.42 cars), a man who has been instrumental in the negotiation of the deal from the teams’ standpoint, said: ‘The new Charter programme NASCAR Sprint Cup teams have gained a measure of financial stability and a greater say in how strengths each of our businesses individually the sport is run thanks to the implementation of the new Charter system in the top tier series STOCKCAR - BRIEFLY One very visible rule change for the up the car inspection areas with the A smaller intake restrictor plate will the end of last year. It is built by Joe NASCAR Sprint Cup in 2016 is that help of computerisation, following be used in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Gibbs Racing’s head engine builder all tools used to adjust the rear track issues with laser inspection last year. Series at Daytona for the annual Mark Cronquist, who has also formed bar via the jack screw through the However, the initial inspection on 500 and its associated races. The his own company to make and sell rear window during pit stops must race weekends will be shorter. four holes will reduce in size by powerplants for the programme. now be painted yellow. 1/64th of an inch. The second-tier NASCAR Xfinity and BJ McLeod Motorsports will enter Following the season opening Truck Series championships will to NASCAR Truck Series teams will two cars in the NASCAR Xfinity Daytona events NASCAR is take on a Chase format similar to have the option of using a spec ‘Crate’ Series this year, using racecars and experimenting with shorter garage that used in the Sprint Cup Series, engine starting with the race at the equipment purchased from Roush area opening hours, but some starting later this season. Both series Charlotte Motor Speedway counter Fenway Racing. The team has longer inspection periods, during will adopt a seven-race Chase format in May. The ‘Delta Engine’, as it’s previously competed in a smaller this year’s Sprint Cup Series. An in September, to determine the series being called by the teams, underwent capacity in the Truck and NASCAR effort is also being made to speed champion in an elimination format. some testing in race situations at Late Model Series. STOCKCAR ENGINEERING 14 - FEBRUARY 2016 - www.racecar-engineering.com 5 STOCKCAR - NEWS General Motors opens new RACE MOVES race base for motorsport JD Gibbs has joined his father Joe Gibbs as co-chairman of Joe Gibbs Racing, with bother Coy Gibbs also joining the NASCAR team as vice-chairman/chief operating powerplant development officer. Meanwhile, JGR 20-year-plus veteranDave Alpern has been named president, and former crew chief General Motors has opened the engine builders, engineers and Wally Brown competition director. doors to its all-new GM Powertrain other support staff. Performance and Racing Center – a GM’s Performance and Racing team Dave Rogers, long time crew chief for Denny Hamlin state-of-the-art facility specifically is responsible for developing engines for at Joe Gibbs Racing in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series designed for the company’s race NASCAR, NHRA, IndyCar, IMSA and has been moved in to the same role for driver Carl engine programmes. other racing series. Edwards, while Mike Wheeler will become crew The new 111,420sq.ft facility is ‘We race to win and learn,’ said Dan chief for Matt Kenseth. connected to GM’s Global Powertrain Nicholson, vice president, General Engineering Center and is part of a Motors Global Powertrain. ‘This Darian Grubb, who spent three years with JGR and $200m investment at the Pontiac, new facility offers unprecedented served as crew chief for Carl Edwards last season, has Michigan, operation. opportunities to connect our racing returned to Hendrick Motorsports in the newly created The Racing Center has been relocated engineers and powertrain engineers, role of vehicle production director, where he will oversee from Wixom, Michigan, to the Pontiac integrating their knowledge to give manufacturing of its fleet of racecars, which includes the Campus, bringing together under one our racers an edge on the track and our four-car team and its customer cars. roof an additional team of nearly 100 customers better vehicles on the road.’ Jim Campbell, GM US vice Chris Gabehart has moved from an engineering role president of Performance Vehicles and on the JGR Sprint Cup operation to lead its No.20 Xfinity Motorsports, said of the new facility: Series, driven by Erik Jones, while Scott Graves, who ‘Chevrolet earned six manufacturer and has left Roush Fenway Racing, will tend the No.19 Toyota, five driver championships in 2015, and working with its driver Daniel Suarez.

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