NASCAR, ABB unveil prototype electric crossover race car

At a creative and innovative event like the Chicago Street Race, NASCAR just dropped its official electric vehicle prototype. This car looks wild. A crossover concept, a huge wing on the back, and a look that you don’t normally associate with stock car racing.

Now, NASCAR is very adamant that this electric racecar is not going to race. They have no plans for it to race or for an electric racing series. Still, the series wants to show potential sponsors and manufacturers they can be innovative and adapt.

Together with ABB, the EV prototype was revealed today in Chicago.

Pushing the limits of what's possible is in our DNA.

The ABB NASCAR EV Prototype is here. pic.twitter.com/4RwLiVupFW

— NASCAR (@NASCAR) July 6, 2024

This is what it looked like in person from Jeff Gluck of The Athletic.

NASCAR has just unveiled its crossover electric vehicle for the first time publicly. No plans for it to race or have an electric series at this time. pic.twitter.com/0bzl2PVR0O

— Jeff Gluck (@jeff_gluck) July 6, 2024

NASCAR has taken a lot of criticism for this electric vehicle concept. There were rumors about it last year and a photo was leaked showing the model of this prototype at the time.

When you look at this car, think more rally cross or something like that than oval racing. Maybe road course races? The point right now, there is no plan to race it or have an electric series. Which is contrary to what we have heard from others.

Dana White ‘not involved’ with NASCAR electric prototype reveal

Now, this is very interesting. Dana White, CEO and president of UFC, is also an investor and owner in Nitrocross. He claimed not long ago that he was working with NASCAR to create an electric racing series.

Accoridng to Bob Pockrass of FOX Sports, White was not involved in the Chicago reveal. Neither was Nitrocross, created by Travis Pastrana. However, there is a little extra nugget to that information.

“Not to say they couldn’t potentially work together on events,” Pockrass followed up after saying White was not involved.

So, is there still a Nitrocross X NASCAR collab coming? I’m not sure. It would be awesome to see that prototype car take a jump in a Nitrocross race, though. I do know that!

With the NASCAR electric prototype, it isn’t about racing it. Right now, that is. This is to show sponsors, technology partners, and potential OEMs that you are able to do things outside of the box. If they want an electric or hybrid crossover racecar, well, you can give them one.

After all, is an electric NASCAR racing series any crazier than the convertible series that used to run? This feels like the beginning of what can be a very interesting venture for stock car racing.