NASCAR President Steve Phelps admitted changes coming to the NASCAR Cup and Truck Series cars, promising a period of evolution in the sport.
Speaking during a Race Industry Week webinar, Phelps outlined the future direction of NASCAR’s Xfinity and Truck Series, indicating a transformative approach in collaboration with those that include manufacturers and racing teams. His comments suggest changes to help innovate the sport.
The NASCAR Xfinity Series, lauded for its exciting platform featuring traditional live axle suspension and narrower tires, is on the cusp of potential changes. Known for its low aerodynamic power-to-weight ratio, the series continues to captivate audiences.
Still, Phelps stressed the need for adjustments to keep pace with the technological evolution of the racing industry. This will allow NASCAR to work closely with manufacturers, tire giant Goodyear and racing teams to continually refine and improve the Xfinity Series cars. This dialogue also extends to existing and potential equipment manufacturers.
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“I think we’re going to continue to refine this car,” Phelps said.
The planned changes aren’t limited to the Xfinity Series. Phelps also hinted at changes regarding the Truck series, although details remain under wraps at this point. Nonetheless, the commitment to continued improvement and adaptation within these racing formats is clear.
“And it’s an industry-wide thing. It’s not just about, ‘Hey, NASCAR is going to do this, this and this.’ It’s really about working with our partners (manufacturers), with Goodyear, with our racing teams and we’re in constant collaboration with those groups, with those stakeholder groups,” Phelps explained.
Such changes require the full support of manufacturers, an idea not lost on Phelps.
“In other words, any changes to the Xfinity Series or the Craftsman Truck Series should be supported by the members of this garage so that they can continue to race as well,” he explained.
NASCAR’s media landscape is also poised for an overhaul, with a revamped broadcast deal set to take effect in 2025. The Xfinity Series will air exclusively on The CW, reflecting a shakeup amid a broader overhaul media rights. This includes an array of broadcasters for the different NASCAR series, with the aim of attracting a more diverse audience.
“You know, I think there are other opportunities for us in the lower series to make changes. What that looks like, I don’t know, but we will continue to iterate on the NextGen car. I think that we’re looking at some things in the Xfinity Series, nothing to announce yet I think there are some things we need to do with our race teams in the Existing and potential EOs that could to be in this series and in our truck series,” Phelps emphasized.
