In NASCAR races, weight and speed are enemies, yet friends!
It’s because a car with good weight distribution can get more downforce, which means better speed at corners
That leads to the most important question: How much does a NASCAR car weigh so that the car can land exactly on the “enemy” and “friend” border?
How much a NASCAR Cup car weighs
According to the NASCAR rule book, a NASCAR Sprint Cup car must weigh at least 3,300 pounds (1496kg) without fuel or driver
NASCAR assumes that all drivers are 180 pounds
So, every 10 pounds under that number means a driver must add 10 pounds to the car to get back up to 180 pounds
He must add 50 lbs to his car so that it weighs 3305 lbs
In 2013, the NASCAR rule book did not apply weight penalty if drivers’ weight dropped under 140 lbs
For that reason, Danica Patrick, a female racer, who only weighed 110 lbs at that time, only had to add 40 lbs of extra weight, not 70!
Fuel is another factor as the number 3,300 lbs only apply to a car without fuel
A gallon of racing fuel weighs approximately 6 lbs
The maximum fuel capacity for Sprint Cup races is 22 gallons
Do some maths, and we have the maximum fuel weight of a NASCAR car – 132 lbs
That brings the total weight of a typical NASCAR Cup car up to 3,612 lbs (3,300+180+132), where driver and fuel weight are already taken into account
How much a NASCAR tire and wheel weigh
A NASCAR tire (18”) itself weighs about 24 lbs, and a wheel weighs 27 lbs
How much the engine weighs in a NASCAR car
NASCAR Sprint Cup cars use 358 cubic inches (59-liter) displacement V8 engines, which produce about 700 to 800 horsepower
These engines weigh around 575 lb or 260 kg (without oil), that’s more than 17% of the car’s weight
NASCAR weight distribution – How important is it?
Weight balance is an essential part of setting up a race car
You need to have the correct weight balance so that the car handles well while cornering
On an oval NASCAR race, the weight can be distributed more on the left side
This is because on an oval track, all cars only turn left
In this case, left-side weight distribution allows you to get more speed through the corners
On a road course, the weight distribution is closer to 50/50, because cars drive both left and right turns
That’s about left and right weight distribution, how about front and rear?
Cars racing on oval tracks usually have a front bias of around 52 percent for better grip on the front tires
On the other hand, cars racing on road course tracks prefer more weight on the rear, allowing more braking power and better acceleration
This video below show how pit crews can use a track bar to adjust the weight distribution of a NASCAR
Unlike the NASCAR Sprint Cup and NASCAR Xfinity Series cars, the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race trucks’ minimum weight is 3400 pounds without driver and fuel
Even though NASCAR trucks carry 100 lb of extra weight, their engines can still produce nearly as much horsepower as the other two Series
NASCAR CUP cars’ minimum weight is 3,300 pounds
While this may seem like a lot, it is actually quite light when you consider all the equipment that goes into a car and the safety features that NASCAR requires
https://wwwmotortrendcom/how-to/ctrp-0011-race-car-weight-distribution/https://fan4racingcom/2013/01/14/tech-talk-nascar-camping-world-truck-series/https://wwwgoodyearcom/en-US/company/racing/nascar
Like any sport where size or lack thereof can pose an advantage, NASCAR cars must meet a certain minimum weight to be cleared to go racing
So, you might wonder how much NASCAR cars weigh and why weight is so important
NASCAR cars weigh 3,200 lb (1,452 kg) without the driver or fuel
NASCAR introduced a rule in 2015 that subtracts 10 lb (45 kg) from that total if the driver weighed more, and adds it if the driver weighs less
Below, we will discuss how heavy a NASCAR car is without the driver and fuel and with the driver and fuel in more detail
We will also touch on why weight matters in NASCAR, and explain how it can affect a car’s power-to-weight ratio, before elaborating on how much the average driver weighs
How Heavy Is A NASCAR Car?How Much Do NASCAR Xfinity Cars Weigh?How Much Do NASCAR Trucks Weigh?Why Does Weight Matter In NASCAR?What Is A NASCAR Car’s Power To Weight Ratio?
How Much Do NASCAR Drivers Weigh?Final Thoughts
How Heavy Is A NASCAR Car?
NASCAR car weights are measured in two ways: The weight without the driver and fuel and weight with the driver and fuel
The weight without the driver and fuel is 3,200 lb (1,452 kg) and the cars must weigh this amount minimum or else they can fail inspection
With the driver and a full tank of fuel, NASCAR cars must weigh at least 3,400 lb (1,542 kg)
However, what you see above is just the standard for a driver weighing between 180 lb to 189 lb (82 kg to 86 kg)
There will be some variance in this, as not all NASCAR drivers weigh the same
Therefore, there is a sliding scale based on how heavy each individual car must be, so they will deviate from the 3,200 lb (1,542 kg) standard for most drivers
For the former Generation 6 cars, for example, the cars had to weigh at least 3,275 lb (1,486 kg) if that driver weighed 180 lb to 189 lb (82 kg to 86 kg)
The Next Gen car must weigh at least 3,400 lb (1,542 kg) with a driver of that same bodyweight range
However, if the driver weighs between 190 lb and 199 lb (86 kg to 90 kg), then they can take 10 lb (45 kg) off the car without the driver or fuel included
This sliding scale was first used during the 2015 NASCAR Cup Series Season
Driver WeightCar Weight Without Fuel Or The Driver139 lb or less (63 kg)3,250 lb (1,474 kg)140 lb to 149 lb (64 kg to 68 kg)3,240 lb (1,470 kg)150 lb to 159 lb (68 kg to 72 kg)3,230 lb (1,465 kg)160 lb to 169 lb (73 kg to 77 kg)3,220 lb (1,461 kg)170 lb to 179 lb (77 kg to 81 kg)3,210 lb (1,456 kg)180 lb to 189 lb (82 kg to 86 kg)3,200 lb (1,452 kg)190 lb to 199 lb (86 kg to 90 kg)3,190 lb (1,447 kg)200 lb to 209 lb (91 kg to 95 kg)3,180 lb (1,443 kg)210 lb to 219 lb (95 kg to 99 kg)3,170 lb (1,438 kg)220 lb or more (100 kg to 104 kg)3,160 lb (1,433 kg)
How Much Do NASCAR Xfinity Cars Weigh?
NASCAR Xfinity cars weigh 3,100 lb (1,406 kg) without the driver or fuel, and 3,300 lb (1,500 kg) with the driver and fuel
Xfinity cars use a sliding scale of minimum weight depending on driver weight, and if the driver is lighter than average, their car’s minimum weight increases to compensate
NASCAR trucks must weigh at least 3,200 lb (1,452 kg) for a driver weighing between 180 lb and 189 lb (82 kg to 86 kg)
They must also weigh 3,400 lb (1,542 kg) with the driver and fuel
KEY POINTS• NASCAR cars weigh about 3,200 lbs, or 1,452 kg• There are minimum weight limits imposed to ensure a level playing field• NASCAR Xfinity cars are lighter than Cup Series cars, but the trucks weigh about the same as the Cup cars
Weight matters in NASCAR because the lighter the car, the faster it can theoretically go
While there is lesser emphasis on this during the earlier stages of the race, it becomes highly important during the final stage, when cars begin battling for the win on low fuel
This means they are not opting for a four-tire, or even a two-tire change, as the tires have enough tread and speed to finish the race, but they may not have enough fuel
If they add too much fuel, and therefore, too much weight, it can slow the car
But if they add just enough fuel, per the team’s calculations, to get the car over the start-finish line at the checkered flag, then they must keep the car as light as possible to help ensure it is as fast as possible
It’s not uncommon to see some drivers run out of fuel on the final lap because of a miscalculation
Power to weight ratio also dictates speed
Take the Generation 6 NASCAR car, whose horsepower once ran at around 750 during its earlier days
Compare that to a much lighter but also more powerful Formula 1 car, which weighs about half as much as a NASCAR car and has 1000+ HP
The lighter Formula 1 car is faster than both the Generation 6 car and the Next Gen car because of its far greater power to weight ratio
Therefore, NASCAR cars must reach a minimum weight because higher power to weight ratio would give lighter cars an advantage over the competition if the car was lighter than minimum
A NASCAR car’s power to weight ratio is about 0209 hp/lb (0461 hp/kg)
A NASCAR car’s power to weight ratio is about 0209 hp/lb (0461 hp/kg)
This is for a car weighing the standard 3,200 lb (1,452 kg) at 670 horsepower
The NASCAR Next Gen car has two horsepower packages: 670 horsepower for almost all intermediate and short tracks, plus road courses, and a 510 horsepower package
Therefore, they will have two standard power to weight ratios
KEY POINTS• Weight is important in all forms of racing, and NASCAR is no exception• Higher power to weight ratios usually mean faster cars• NASCAR Cup cars have power to weight ratios of about 0159 to 0209 hp/lb depending on the package
How Much Do NASCAR Drivers Weigh?
In NASCAR, the drivers all have varying weights, and that’s why there is a sliding scale regarding how much NASCAR cars must weigh
Most of the drivers weigh between 150 lb and 180 lb (68 kg to 82 kg)
There have also been heavier drivers, like Tony Stewart and Ryan Newman, who during their careers weighed at least 180 lb (82 kg)
Most drivers are a bit lighter than this, with the average weight clocking in at 162 lb (73 kg)
This is because since the 1990s, when Mark Martin and Ernie Irvan adopted serious fitness regimens, drivers realized they could better withstand the physical demands of being in a NASCAR car for an extended period
NASCAR cars must weigh at least 3,200 lb (1,452 kg) for a 180 lb (82 kg) driver without the driver or fuel
However, this number can be higher or lower for drivers weighing less or more than 180 lb (82 kg)
This rule keeps the playing field equal to prevent lighter drivers from gaining advantages
According to the NASCAR regulations the NASCAR Cup Series racecar must weigh 3300 lbs at the minimum without the fuel or the driver
Adding the weight of the driver and fuel can bring the car’s weight to over 3500 lb
Read on as we break down the weight of the different NASCAR series cars and even talk about how weight distribution affects the performance of the racecar
How Much Do NASCAR Racecars Weigh?
Nascar has three different main series that all have different regulations for cars
NASCAR Cup Series
The NASCAR Cup Series is the top racing series for NASCAR (National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing)
According to the NASCAR rules, the minimum weight of the NASCAR racecar must be 3300 lbs (1500 kg)
This does not include the weight of the driver or the fuel
However, NASCAR also has strict rules concerning the weight of the driver
According to the rulebook, the minimum weight allotted to the drivers is 180 lbs
If a driver is below this weight, they have to add weight to their car
For example, if a driver weighs 160 lbs, they have to add 20 lbs to their car to make sure that the 180 lb requirement is fulfilled
However, this rule is only imposed until 140 lbs, after which a driver need not add more weight
Danica Patrick, a female driver who weighed only 110 pounds, did not have to add 70 lbs to her car and instead added only 40 lbs
Fuel also contributes to the weight of the NASCAR Cup racecar
Although the 3300 lb minimum weight does not include fuel, adding the fuel drastically increases the weight of the car
Cup racecars have a fuel capacity of around 22 gallons meaning that there are 132 pounds of fuel in the car
With the added weight of the fuel and the driver, the car weighs around 3600 lbs or 1630 kg!
We have broken down the different aspects of the final NASCAR car that contribute to its weight
Source: https://pittalkscom/how-much-does-a-nascar-car-weigh/
NASCAR Xfinity Series
The NASCAR Xfinity Series is the second level of the NASCAR racing series2 and is considered a proving ground for the drivers who want to compete in the Cup Series
The cars in the Xfinity series have some differences when compared to the Cup series
The Xfinity series car is lighter than the Cup series and generally weighs 100 lbs less than the Cup series car
The minimum weight for the Xfinity series car is 3200 lbs (1450 kg), excluding the weight of the driver and the fuel
According to regulations, the car has to weigh over 3400 lbs (1540 kg) when the weight of the fuel and driver is included
NASCAR Camping World Truck Series
The Camping World Truck Series is the third tier of the NASCAR series and involves racing pickup trucks across the tracks
These trucks have a different body style than the cars in the other two series and are heavier than the cars in the Xfinity and Cup series
The trucks tend to weigh 100 lbs more than the cars in the Cup series and have a weight of around 3400 lbs (1540 kg) without the weight of the fuel and the driver
Importance of Weight Distribution in Racing
Weight is an important factor when it comes to the speed of the car
The heavier the car, the longer it will take to accelerate to top speed (and the more fuel it will use! )
However, the distribution of that weight can also influence the car’s performance on the track
Manufacturers of NASCAR racecars consider weight distribution to optimize the car’s performance and use the (quite significant) weight to their advantage
As weight distribution can affect the car’s handling, especially in corners, different distributions may be used for different tracks
If the NASCAR race is on an oval track, teams may distribute the weight more on the left side (up to a 58% bias) so that the driver can maintain high speed in the corners
For tracks that have both left and right turns, the weight distribution will be closer to 50/50
Weight distribution towards the front or back can also affect the car’s performance
Cars may have more weight in the front for better grip on the front tires
On road tracks, cars prefer having a weight bias towards the rear of the car
This allows the drivers to have better acceleration and more braking power
Comparison of NASCAR and Formula 1 Cars
NASCAR and Formula1 are the top auto-racing events around the world
Although the concept for both events is similar, the cars featured in the races are different in almost every way, from their designs to their engines and even their tires
The Formula 1 cars are smaller than the NASCAR ones and are designed for aerodynamics and maximum downforce
In comparison, the NASCAR cars are bulkier and square, suited to the rules of NASCAR racing
Moreover, a NASCAR Cup racecar weighs 3300 lbs
This is double the weight of a Formula 1 car that weighs approximately 1500 lbs
Apart from the way they look, a major difference between the two cars is the type of engine they use
A NASCAR Cup racecar uses 587L V-8 engines
The Formula 1 car is designed to be lightweight and aerodynamic to help it cut through the air and achieve high speeds, going as fast as 230 mph
In comparison, the NASCAR cars are heavier and slightly bulky while still going as fast as 200 mph
With only a 30 mph difference in their top speeds, both Formula 1 and NASCAR are high-speed and exhilarating events that car enthusiasts from around the world enjoy
Q: What Is the Top Speed of a NASCAR Car?
NASCAR racecars have top speeds of up to 200 mph
The weight of the vehicles means that NASCAR cars are slower than Formula 1 cars
All NASCAR car engines are not the same
All NASCAR car engines are not the same
The engines are similar and need the same specifications and standards; however, each manufacturer can design and modify them differently
Q: Who Is the Highest Paid NASCAR Driver?
The minimum weight of the NASCAR Cup racecar is 3300 lbs without the driver’s and fuel’s weight
The minimum weight for the Xfinity series is 100 pounds less at 3200 pounds, whereas the Truck series is generally 100 to 200 pounds heavier than the Cup racecar
The weight of the racecar affects car acceleration as well as its handling
So, keep your car light and distribute weight smartly if you want those extra miles!
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In a NASCAR race, everything needs to be carefully calculated and monitored, from the driver’s surroundings when another driver is closing in, to the car’s total weight
Drivers and their teams must meticulously calculate various factors for the best possible outcome, including the weight of their vehicle
NASCAR vehicles must meet specific weight requirements to pass inspection, such as a minimum of 3,300 pounds without drivers and fuel
The tires and wheels on the vehicle contribute an additional 51 pounds, and all four tires add 204 pounds in addition to the fuel
Weight plays an important role in achieving maximum speed and optimal performance, so drivers and their team work hard to manage the car’s weight as much as possible
While there are several things each team can do to minimize the car’s weight, NASCAR has specific weight limits to create a standard
This article outlines average car weight based on these standards and how drivers work to minimize their car’s weight, so continue reading to learn more!
What Does A NASCAR Car Weigh?TiresDriverFuelWhy Is Weight Important For NASCAR?The Importance Of Weight DistributionHow Do NASCAR Drivers Adjust Weight Distribution?
What Does A NASCAR Car Weigh?
In the NASCAR Sprint Cup and NASCAR Xfinity Series, cars must meet specific weight requirements
Each NASCAR vehicle must meet two weight requirements: the first weight without the driver or fuel and the racing weight with the driver and fuel
Before adding the driver and fuel, the car must weigh a minimum of 3,300 pounds
After adding the driver and a full fuel tank, the vehicle must weigh at least 3,400 pounds
The weight requirements vary based on the series, as the NASCAR rule book has different rules for each series
In this series, each race truck has a minimum weight of 3,400 pounds without its driver and fuel
The tires and wheels on the vehicle contribute to the car’s overall weight
Given the importance of weight in races such as these, every pound counts
On average, an 18-inch NASCAR tire weighs about 24 pounds, while the wheel weighs approximately 27 pounds
All four tires add an extra 204 pounds to the vehicle’s weight
The post-inspection weight is based on an average driver weighing 180 and 189 pounds
So, to make up for this difference, NASCAR developed a sliding scale that takes the car’s weight into account
Since implementing this sliding scale, NASCAR has deviated from the 3,300-pound weight standard for drivers
If the driver weighs less than 180 pounds, they must add 10 pounds to the car to increase their weight
For instance, if the driver weighs 135 pounds, they’d have to add 50 pounds to their vehicle to meet the weight requirement
Prior to 2013, NASCAR’s weight rules offered exemptions for drivers weighing less than 140
Since this gave drivers weighing less an advantage over their competitors, NASCAR started using its sliding scale in 2015
Obviously, fuel is an essential piece of the weight puzzle, as these cars can’t go anywhere without it
A typical gallon of racing fuel weighs approximately six pounds, so with a full tank, fuel adds about 120 pounds to the car’s weight
As the race progresses, drivers may push their car to its limits as they attempt to race on low fuel
When they stop for fuel, the pit crew may not add a full tank, as this weighs the car down as the driver whizzes through the final laps
Why Is Weight Important For NASCAR?
Weight and speed are mortal enemies in a NASCAR weight
The more weight the car carries, the harder it’ll need to work to achieve top speeds
So, for the best performance, NASCAR drivers and their teams do their best to manage the weight of the vehicle
They begin fighting for first place while running low on fuel, making it dicey for the drivers as the race closes
You’ll usually see fuel-only pit stops at the end of the race
They stop for enough fuel to power through the race but nothing else, as their tires have enough tread to see them through
The Importance Of Weight Distribution
When designing NASCAR race cars, weight distribution was an integral consideration
Without the right weight balance, the car won’t handle well during corners
So, to aid in the races, NASCAR vehicles feature a specific weight distribution
With an oval NASCAR track, cars may have up to a 58% weight bias on the left side
This works because the cars only turn left on these tracks, so the more heavily weighted left side enables more speed through the corners
Since these tracks feature left and right turns, having a noticeable weight bias could affect the vehicle’s handling and performance
However, vehicles may feature a slight weight bias based on the quantity of left or right turns throughout the race
Aside from weight distribution from left to right, it’s also important from front to back
Generally, cars in NASCAR races on oval tracks have a slight front bias of approximately 52%
Conversely, cars racing on road courses usually feature a weight bias on the rear of the car
How Do NASCAR Drivers Adjust Weight Distribution?
Generally, the pit crews of each driver handle the weight distribution adjustments
They use a metal bar with multiple bends, known as a track bar, to adjust the car’s weight distribution as needed
In some cases, drivers adjust their car’s weight distribution themselves