NASCAR showcased a new electric vehicle prototype stock car at the Chicago Street Race on July 7th. The car is part of NASCAR’s sustainability initiatives, which include a partnership with Swedish electrification firm ABB. The EV prototype is a big change from traditional stock cars. Read about it here.
Today will be electric. Today will be historic.
Today is @NASCARChicago race day! #NASCARChicago @BCBSIL | @McDonalds pic.twitter.com/8BDNfMjf8M
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) July 7, 2024
It looks more like a performance crossover. It has advanced technology but won’t replace the fuel-burning V8 engines used in current NASCAR races anytime soon. The prototype has three electric motors powered by a 78-kWh liquid-cooled battery.
"It's a really big deal that we're here."@Blaney on coming to @NASCARChicago. pic.twitter.com/gMdLmDXkrk
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) July 7, 2024
It can generate 1,000kW at peak power. The car is built on a modified version of the Next Gen chassis introduced by NASCAR in 2022. Chevrolet, Ford, and Toyota helped develop it.
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 driver David Ragan was the only person to drive the $1.5 million prototype before its public unveiling. He said his fastest lap at Martinsville Speedway in Virginia was just two-tenths of a second slower than a typical racer. The EV has almost twice the acceleration, but its increased weight affected its performance in turn.
Traditional stock cars are still NASCAR’s main focus. However, the organization is exploring high-performance racing possibilities similar to the all-electric Formula E series sponsored by ABB. NASCAR’s commitment to innovation and sustainability suggests that while standard fuel-powered racecars are here to stay for now, the future of racing may include electric vehicles.
NASCAR formally unveiled the electric vehicle prototype race car on Saturday in Chicago. This marks a big step in the sport’s efforts to explore and adopt new electrification technologies. However, this prototype is not expected to join any national racing series soon.
NASCAR introduced the ABB NASCAR EV Prototype during the Chicago Street Race event. This is part of its new partnership with ABB, a leader in electrification and automation. ABB is the first official partner of the “NASCAR Impact” initiative.
This initiative aims to advance sustainability efforts, focusing on electrification and electric vehicle charging. “NASCAR Impact” aims to reduce NASCAR’s carbon footprint to zero across its core operations by 2035. NASCAR plans to use 100% renewable electricity at its owned race tracks and facilities by 2028.
It will expand waste diversion efforts and install on-site EV charging stations. The multi-year research and development effort behind the EV prototype shows NASCAR’s commitment to showcasing new electrification technologies. However, this does not mean an immediate change from the traditional combustion engine in racing.
John Probst, NASCAR’s senior vice president and chief racing development officer, said the combustion engine has a long road ahead. It could be powered by sustainable fuel or hydrogen, and hybrid electrification is also possible.
The EV prototype explores what NASCAR’s future could be. It was developed with NASCAR’s partners Chevrolet, Ford, and Toyota and built by the engineers responsible for the current Next Gen car used in the Cup Series.
The EV stock car has undergone several track tests. It features three STARD UHP 6-Phase motors, one at the front and two at the rear—these supply power directly to all four specially designed Goodyear tires.
The car has a 78-kWh liquid-cooled battery. The tunable powertrain can produce 1,000 kW at peak power. Regenerative braking converts kinetic energy into power, making the car potentially ideal for road courses and short oval tracks.
New electric prototype debuts in NASCAR
The all-wheel-drive car features a body made of sustainable flax-based composite derived from current Cup cars’ components, such as the modified chassis, steering, suspension, brakes, and wheels.
Former NASCAR Cup driver David Ragan served as the test driver for the EV prototype. He described the experience as “really fun.”
With the EV prototype now revealed, NASCAR’s next step is to determine how this new technology can shape future racing developments. Probst believes it opens the door for NASCAR and manufacturers to explore many new possibilities.
NASCAR’s EV prototype also incorporates flax-based composites developed by Swiss lightweight specialists Bcomp. This marks the first major U.S. motorsports project to do so. The bodywork utilizes Bcomp’s ampliTex technical fabrics in conjunction with powerRibs, inspired by the vein structure of leaves.
The unveiling of this innovative electric vehicle prototype demonstrates NASCAR’s commitment to exploring and integrating sustainable practices within motorsports while maintaining the spirit and excitement of the sport revered by fans. The NASCAR Chicago Street Race for 2024 is being held in and around Grant Park on July 6 and 7. Along with two banner races, the event features a family-friendly festival with live music, including performances by The Black Keys, The Chainsmokers, and Keith Urban.
Extensive street closures and reroutes are now in place as the city constructs the winding race course. Fans are flocking to the city over the Fourth of July holiday weekend. Shane van Gisbergen, who won the Cup Series in Chicago last year and raced to his third Xfinity Series victory on Saturday, will compete again on Sunday.
NASCAR Street Race President Julie Giese said, “It was his first NASCAR win. He took home the victory yesterday. He will compete again today, so we’ll see how he does.”
Downtown Chicago is gearing up for Sunday afternoon’s NASCAR Cup Series race after a successful NASCAR Xfinity Series race on Saturday.
Drivers will hit the track at 3:30 p.m. for a 75-lap course around Chicago’s Loop, where cars will reach up to 100 mph speeds. The course includes many twists and turns, making it more challenging than typical race tracks. Entry gates and NASCAR Village at Butler Field open at 9 a.m. Sunday, with big-name headliners like Keith Urban and Lauren Alaina set to perform.
Day 1 has wrapped up and seems to be an overwhelming success. Stephanie Wade spoke to fans and participants, who were impressed with the entire experience. Many people from different states and countries came to take action, some experiencing NASCAR for the first time.
Saturday’s action included a 50-lap race in The Loop 110 NASCAR Xfinity Series, a unique freestyle motocross event, and live entertainment with Buddy Guy, The Black Keys, and The Chainsmokers headlining. More action is in store for Sunday with the main event Cup Series, where drivers will tackle 75 laps. The race is bringing special excitement to Chicago, with hopes that NASCAR will continue to return to the city.
Michelle Prifer, who is visiting from Michigan, said, “I think it brings people from all walks of life together—Chicagoans and the rest of the country. We could use that right now.”
Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series will start around 3 p.m., with additional live entertainment from Keith Urban at 1 p.m. Shane van Gisbergen is the BETMGM Sportsbook favorite to win Sunday.
He won Saturday’s Xfinity Series race, and Kyle Larson is on the pole, aiming for his fourth win of the season in his 350th career Cup Series start. The Chicago street course presents a tricky opportunity for winless drivers. Alex Bowman sees a Chicago street course full of possibilities and challenges.
This race could shake up the playoff field, which sees Martin Truex Jr., Ty Gibbs, Ross Chastain, Chris Buescher, and Bowman occupying the last five playoff spots on points. Other drivers are fighting to secure their position in the playoffs, including Bubba Wallace, Chase Briscoe, and two-time Cup champion Kyle Busch. Martin Truex Jr., who plans to retire from full-time racing at the end of the season, said, “I feel like we should have a win.” Also vying for a win, Chris Buescher reflects on past near misses and looks forward to the challenging Chicago race.
The second edition of the downtown Chicago street race offers another possibility for 18 winless Cup Series drivers eligible for the playoffs. The 12-turn, 2.2-mile course is narrow and bumpy, leaving little room for error. A crash could both open opportunities and create pitfalls when accumulating points.
