In 2022, NASCAR revolutionized stock car racing with the debut of the Next Gen Cup Series car, marking one of the most dramatic technical overhauls in the sport’s history. Designed to improve safety, reduce team costs, and promote more competitive racing, the Next Gen car introduced numerous innovations that set it apart from its predecessor, the Gen 6. It features independent rear suspension, a sequential 5-speed transmission, 18-inch aluminum wheels with a center-lock single lug nut, and a carbon fiber composite body that enhances durability and performance.
For the first time in Cup history,
The car uses a symmetrical body design and an underbody diffuser to improve aerodynamics and create tighter, more exciting racing. The modular chassis allows easier repairs and standardization across teams, leveling the playing field between large, well-funded organizations and smaller teams.
While the Next Gen car has been praised for increasing parity and producing unpredictable winners
Including breakout performances from newer teams like Trackhouse Racing—it has also faced criticism, particularly regarding driver safety after rear-impact crashes led to injuries like Kurt Busch’s concussion in 2022.
Despite early challenges
NASCAR has responded with ongoing safety updates, and the car continues to evolve as it shapes the future of the sport.
“As conversations grow around hybrid technology and sustainability, the Next Gen platform serves as a bold step into NASCAR’s modern era, blending tradition with cutting-edge engineering to deliver high-stakes, wheel-to-wheel action for a new generation of fans”.
