&sq=&lang=&file=File:Kyle_Larson_5_Las_Vegas_2024.jpg) Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 Next Gen car driven by Kyle Larson | |
| Category | NASCAR Cup Series |
|---|---|
| Constructor |  Chevrolet Ford Toyota |
| Predecessor | Generation 6 |
| Technical specifications | |
| Chassis | Steel tube frame with integral safety roll cage |
| Length | 193.4 in (4,912 mm) |
| Width | 78.6 in (1,996 mm) |
| Height | 50.4 in (1,280 mm) |
| Wheelbase | 110 in (2,794 mm) |
| Engine | 5.86 L (358 cu in) V8 Naturally-aspirated FR layout |
| Transmission | 5 forward speeds + 1 reverse Sequential manual transmission |
| Weight | 3,200 lb (1,451 kg) minimum without driver and fuel 3,400 lb (1,542 kg) minimum with driver and fuel |
| Fuel | Sunoco Green E15 98 octane race fuel |
| Tires | Goodyear |
| Competition history | |
| Debut | 2022 Daytona 500 |
The Next Gen car, originally known as the Gen-7 car, is the common name for the racecar that is currently in use in the NASCAR Cup Series. Its use began with the 2022 season.[1][2] A further evolution of the Generation 6 car, the Next Gen features "improved" aero and downforce packages while introducing new technologies on the track. In addition, the Next Gen is designed to lower costs and attract new original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) to compete with Chevrolet, Ford, and Toyota.[3][4][5][6]
The Next Gen body style was set to debut at the 2021 Daytona 500,[6][7] but when the COVID-19 pandemic postponed all NASCAR racing (and therefore, testing) until the month of May, the sanctioning body announced that the debut of the car would be pushed back a year to 2022.[1][2]
Prior to the 2022 Xfinity 500 at Martinsville Speedway, Chevrolet clinched its 41st manufacturers' championship and the first in the Next Gen era.[8] At the conclusion of the 2022 NASCAR Cup Series Championship Race at Phoenix Raceway, Joey Logano of Team Penske claimed his second Cup Series championship and became the Next Gen era's first champion.[9]
- ^ a b "NASCAR Next Gen Car". Jayski's Silly Season Site. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved May 6, 2021.
- ^ a b "Next Gen car debut delayed until 2022 due to coronavirus pandemic". NASCAR.com. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. April 2, 2020.
- ^ Albert, Zack (February 4, 2019). "Generation next: 2021 the target for Gen-7 race car". NASCAR.com. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved March 3, 2020.
- ^ Smith, Steven Cole (December 30, 2019). "Next-Gen: What We Know about NASCAR's New Car". Autoweek. Retrieved March 3, 2020.
- ^ "NASCAR Next Gen car to feature single lug nut". RacingNews.co. March 3, 2020. Retrieved March 4, 2020.
- ^ a b Crandall, Kelly (March 3, 2020). "NASCAR settles on Next-Gen specs". Racer. Retrieved March 5, 2020.
- ^ Albert, Zack (March 2, 2020). "New Next Gen car debuts in Auto Club test, '99 percent' complete". NASCAR.com. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved March 3, 2020.
- ^ "Chevrolet clinches 41st Cup Series manufacturer's championship". NASCAR.com. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. October 28, 2022. Retrieved October 31, 2022.
- ^ Sturniolo, Zach (November 6, 2022). "Joey Logano joins elite group by winning second Cup Series championship". NASCAR. Archived from the original on November 8, 2022. Retrieved November 8, 2022.