The NASCAR Next Generation (Aka Gen 7) vehicle took the track in earnest in late 2021, beginning the final team tests prior to its debut at the Busch Light Clash at the Coliseum, an exhibition race that starts the 2022 season. Its development has spanned several years, thousands of hours of design and testing work, numerous suppliers and, of course, one global pandemic. The following is a small part of the story of its development from an aerodynamic standpoint, as told by managing director of aerodynamics for NASCAR, Dr Eric Jacuzzi. NASCAR’s last generation vehicle, the Generation 6, or Gen 6, as it’s known, was introduced in 2013. With its forward emphasis on manufacturer identity, it was a breakthrough for the sport. It was the first time in many years that the entirety of the vehicle, from nose to tail, was unique to each manufacturer (within certain parameters), harking back to the fiercely competitive manufacturer racing days of old. After eight years of racing,…
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