NASCAR’s Next Gen rule set not only brought about a completely different car, both conceptually and technically, but it also led to a different style of racing. Teams have had to adapt to a new way of working with the cars, and drivers have learned an entirely new way of controlling them, aided by their strategists, as they seek to move up through the field.
The Next Gen, or seventh-generation, regulations were introduced for the 2022 NASCAR Cup Series season, and brought a new, Dallara designed, coupé-style body shape to the track that, unlike Gen 6, is symmetrical at the rear. It also introduced 18in wheels, low profile Goodyear tyres, standardised brakes from AP Racing, revised suspension and a manual sequential gearbox.
These were the headline changes, but there were…