DAYTONA BEACH, Florida — It’s the end of the NASCAR restrictor plate world as we know it. Sunday’s Daytona 500 marks the end of an era in modern NASCAR. Over 30 years after restrictor plates were put in the engines of Cup Series cars at Daytona and Talladega, Sunday will be the final race with restrictor plates.
Do they use restrictor plates at Talladega?
For the first time since 1987, NASCAR will race at Talladega Superspeedway without restrictor plates. A tapered spacer will instead keep things in check and manage engine air flow. Drivers will still have more horsepower than they used to, going from an estimated 410 to a targeted 550.
What NASCAR tracks use restrictor plates?
NASCAR Sprint Cup currently uses restrictor plates at Daytona International Speedway and Talladega Superspeedway. the device limits the power output of the motor and hence slows both the acceleration and the overall top speeds obtainable on the tracks where the cars are so equipped.
When did NASCAR stop using restrictor plates?
The last race with the original restrictor plates was the 2019 Daytona 500; after that race, the cars moved to a variable-sized tapered spacer already used at all other tracks, with the exception that the spacer would have smaller holes than the ones used at the smaller tracks, to ensure speeds stay under 200 MPH.
Is 2021 Daytona a restrictor plate race?
The season-opening Daytona 500 next year will be run under current configurations that combine the restrictor plate with a tapered spacer. NASCAR will go to just a spacer at Daytona and Talladega after the 500.
Is NASCAR using restrictor plates?
NASCAR implemented the use of restrictor plates at Daytona International Speedway and Talladega Superspeedway as a safety measure more than three decades ago. The hope was that slower cars would be less likely to go airborne following Bobby Allison’s crash at Talladega in May 1987.
How fast would NASCAR cars go without restrictor plates?
NASCAR distributes them before the race and collects them when it is over. Some people believe that without restrictor plates, NASCAR racers could go more than 220 mph. In fact, one car tested at Talladega without a restrictor plate reached a speed of 228 mph, exceeding Bill Elliott’s record by 16 mph.
Is Talladega or Daytona faster?
NASCAR introduces restrictor plates
Earlier this season, speeds were around 200 mph at Daytona (2.5-mile track) and slightly higher at Talladega (2.66 miles).
Is Texas Motor Speedway a restrictor plate race?
Based on qualifying speeds in 2004 and 2005, the Texas Motor Speedway was once considered the fastest non-restrictor plate track on the NASCAR circuit, with qualifying speeds in excess of 192 mph and corner entry speeds over 200 mph.
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Texas Motor Speedway.
| Logo | |
|---|---|
| Owner | Speedway Motorsports, Inc. |
| Opened | 1996 |
What is the fastest a NASCAR car has gone?
Bill Elliott achieved the fastest NASCAR speed record of all time while qualifying for the 1987 Winston 500 at Talladega. In his #9 Coors Ford Thunderbird, Elliott reached a top speed of 212.809 mph.
What year did NASCAR start using restrictor plates?
The restrictor plates were introduced to NASCAR’s big-league series in 1988 after Bobby Allison’s car went soaring at more than 200 mph into the catch fence at Talladega in the spring of 1987.
Is there a horsepower limit in NASCAR?
NASCAR stock cars were previously allowed 850 to 900 horsepower; however, this amount was reduced to 725 horsepower in 2015. With such a low RPM limit the 429 Boss was able to hit 30 mph in 3.2 seconds, 60 mph in 7.1 seconds, and 100 mph in 13.6 seconds.
Who is currently the best NASCAR driver?
The 16 Best NASCAR Drivers Right Now
- 1 – Kyle Busch. It’s hard to deny that Kyle Busch is the best driver in NASCAR right now. …
- 2 – Denny Hamlin. …
- 3 – Joey Logano. …
- 4 – Kurt Busch. …
- 5 – Martin Truex Jr. …
- 6 – Brad Keselowski. …
- 7 – Kevin Harvick. …
- 8 – Ryan Blaney.
Can I buy a Nascar engine?
Chevrolet manufactures R07 engines, which can be purchased new through one of the licensed race teams, such as Hendrick Motorsports, but it’s difficult to purchase a complete engine from a team. For Hendrick, the pistons, oiling system, and camshafts are top-secret bits you can’t buy.
How much horsepower does a 2021 NASCAR?
A 670 horsepower engine with a 4-inch spoiler will be used at all Cup Series speedways except Daytona International Speedway and Talladega Superspeedway, NASCAR announced Tuesday morning. The configuration also will be implemented at road courses and short tracks.
What is the average weight of a NASCAR?
By rule, a Sprint Cup car must weigh 3,300 pounds. Where the weight of the driver is concerned, for every 10-pound increment below 180 pounds, 10 pounds of weight must be added to the car. So if a driver weighs between 170 and 179 pounds, the car must weigh 3,310 pounds to compensate.