Image leaked of possible NASCAR EV concept
NASCAR is not afraid to talk about potential EV development. It’s a long way away, but we have an image of an EV concept. NASCAR appears to be going with a hatchback/crossover look, at least in this early build of the car.
Ahead of championship weekend, NASCAR confirmed they had an electric vehicle. However, no one knew to what extent, how the car looked, or anything like that. Well, now we do. A photo has been leaked of the EV NASCAR concept car.
No matter where you sit on the EV NASCAR debate, reality is going to eventually catch up with the sport. Stock car racing should at some level reflect the products manufacturers are putting on the road, and what consumers are driving.
As EVs become more popular, this is the natural progression of stock car racing (and motorsports as a whole). As for this concept car, take it for what it is, a concept. It is a little ugly, a little unrefined.
Try to imagine one of those new Mustang Mach E cars but with a spoiler and a NASCAR body kit on it. Folks, we are years away from anything like this coming to NASCAR, let alone the Cup Series. So, don’t get too upset or excited yet.
NASCAR EVs are being developed
Before NASCAR crowned its three champions, Steve O’Donnell, COO, confirmed the existence of the EV racecar. There was even a test done at zMax Dragway in Charlotte. While things went well, there are no plans to put these cars on a racetrack under real racing conditions – yet.
NASCAR has to be ready for EV cars, because that’s what the future of the market is trending towards.
“A lot of work has gone on at the R&D department around EV. We have a car, we have an alternative body style with that car,” O’Donnell said, via Kickin’ the Tires. “I would not look at us to specifically go racing with it. I think you could see it showcased at certain events next year. But there are other forms that we want to look at. I am actually headed to Japan on Thursday to go look at hydrogen racing, specifically. So, we have a contingent heading over to Japan to look at that.
“We want to, kind of, test each and every form and we are really excited about what our teams can put together around an electric car but, again, we want to showcase that to the fans and look for additional technologies, as well.”
NASCAR EV races, it’s coming. Not for a while, but eventually it’s something that we will see in stock car racing.