Steve Phelps reveals NASCAR working with manufacturers on fuel, design of future cars

The future of NASCAR largely depends on the future of car manufacturers, meaning any changes to the Cup Series car will go through them. NASCAR President Steve Phelps and other leaders in the sport are already looking to the future.

There has been a lot of discussion around the future of NASCAR as it relates to engines and horsepower. The sport has reduced power in recent years, much to the disappointment of many fans.

Of course, with the way the auto industry is moving, there is talk about hybrids possibly coming to the sport. Despite the Next Gen or Gen 7 car only entering its fourth year, there are talks going on about the future of the Cup car.

As Adam Stern of Sports Business Journal reports, nothing is off the table right now. There are many questions being floated between NASCAR and its OEMs.

“‘What’s the [future] powerplant going to look like? What’s the fuel going to look like?” Phelps asked, rhetorically. “What is the body style going to look like? How do we differentiate the series?’ All those things we are working with our [original equipment] partners on today.”

The Cup Series is still searching for a fourth OEM partner. Honda has been named as a possibility, but that has yet to come to fruition. Part of the reduction in horsepower is to attract a new OEM. Again, it remains to be seen if that is actually happening or just the hot rumor around Charlotte.

The Next Gen car isn’t even five years old yet and we could already be seeing the beginning of the next era in the NASCAR Cup Series. What will the future of the sport look like as far as engines and power supply go?

Can NASCAR find the right tire-to-horsepower ratio?

With the Next Gen car, there have been pros and cons. One of the most obvious cons is the lack of passing on road courses and short tracks. That has started to change as Goodyear introduces softer tire compounds.

There is still enough power in the cars to burn rubber. It is enough to get up to and above 200 MPH at Michigan. But it has to be stronger than the tires under the car to make a difference. Slowly but surely, NASCAR has started to find the right mix of power and rubber.

The tire that was used at Bowman Gray for the Clash was great. Bowman Gray is a very worn-out track surface. But that is the same tire that was used at Martinsville last year, meaning there is promise in that mixture for the short tracks this season.

To make the point further, NASCAR is testing an option tire at Phoenix this March. It will be a similar situation to what the Cup Series did last year at Richmond. NASCAR and the manufacturers want to get this formula figured out.