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Fans look forward to expressing their opinions on NASCAR's latest generation of racing cars.

Wayne is a home builder from Virginia, a middle-aged family man who knows cars better than most of us. He has been a fan of NASCAR all his life, but not just another fan: he was a decent late model racer who later became a successful short track promoter. He is a recognized "Autobot" and has close ties in the racing and commercial automotive communities.

If anyone should understand the next generation of cars (the 7th generation for those who score at home), it is him. His view is that ordinary Cup series fans will not really see the speed of the car until next spring, and will judge the 2022 model. In Daytona Beach, the hype and hustle are cheap; in fact, the evidence is in the pudding.

"I think people will give it time before deciding," Wayne said recently. "It looks good to sit, but not many people see it in motion. Maybe on TV or in a video, but not in person. When they see it on the track, they will see mostly decorative things. NASCAR brags about its technological advancement, but how many fans care about this? I will, but I don’t know how many others will.”

Among these technological advancements, Wayne hopes that drivers and teams will be most excited about the improved driving performance. "NASCAR really wants to get rid of the'dirty air' that affects the car," he said. "This car will stop to turn better and embrace the track better. One thing it will do is close the field and make the competition better. That's what they want."

Wayne (the last name is not used here) is one of a dozen fans who recently conducted a survey of the next generation of cars. Some people know enough, they don't know enough to provide insight. Apart from what NASCAR told them, no one knew anything. Some people think that the theme is "electric cars", which they absolutely don't want. A few—they can be found almost anywhere—just want to oppose NASCAR based on general principles.

The much-hyped Next Gen car is a new product designed to control costs and more closely mimic today's production-based, legal, and sporty coupe. They have cutting-edge technology similar to the popular Australian supercars and IMSA's GT3 level. A supplier in Jackson, Michigan will provide a frame with a central roll cage and bolted front and rear clamps. The idea is that if it cannot be saved, the damaged clip can be easily replaced instead of destroying the entire frame.

Technological changes far exceed what fans will see. From the high-speed stands, they will not notice the carbon fiber reinforced plastic body panels. They may never see the under-wing and rear diffusers that help handle and reduce dirty air. They will not see rack and pinion steering, independent rear suspension or 5-speed transaxle. They will recognize larger aluminum wheels and tires, but not larger brakes. They can't miss the two exhaust pipes extending from below each side or a single central locking Indy-style wheel nut. The difference is in inches, so they may not immediately notice that the car is lower, shorter, and wider than the current model.

Strictly speaking, the 2022 race car is the seventh version of the "stock car" launched by NASCAR in 1949. Each version is different from its predecessor. Many changes are related to security. Others are inspired by the ever-changing body shapes and styles of Detroit. The size is different. Spoilers, splitters, roof railings, ride height and various templates define the track products. NASCAR has never spent so much time, money and creativity to make a new car look new.

More than two years ago, officials put forward the next-generation concept and hoped to launch it in 2021. But the pandemic changed everything, allowing teams with sufficient manpower and resources to challenge today's car while working hard for next year's car. These teams spent countless hours and millions of dollars on the project. NASCAR's marketing and public relations machine tirelessly promotes new cars, emphasizing excitement and begging its fan base to accept it.

It is difficult to judge whether the news is popular. Older fans want to hold on to what attracted them in the 80s, 90s, and early 2000s. New fans-and fewer and fewer-are attracted by the grandeur and enthusiasm of the race itself. NASCAR hopes that this new car will help the series regain its footing.

"I grew up around NASCAR, I'm an old-school fan and want to stay traditional," said Marshall, a North Carolina native at Bank of America 400 near Charlotte last month. "I have seen photos of the new car, but I haven't seen it on the track. I don't know much about it, but I don't like the single lug nut because it will eliminate the excitement of pit stops. From what I saw on TV Look, this car is not much different from today’s cars. But in general...yes, I’m excited about the new things next year."

Jason, who is also in BOA 400, is more worried about NASCAR's "new direction" than next-generation cars. He said: "We old car fans hope to participate as much as possible in the race as before." "Today's race is similar to the past, but whether it is now better than 20 or 25 years ago, it is 50/50. Many of us Both want to go back to North Wilkesboro (North Carolina) and Rockingham (North Carolina). We want to have two games in Darlington. NASCAR has gone out of the West too much. It is moving away from letting It becomes something great.

"They say this new car will make the car better, but no one knows. Personally, I really like the quality, performance and reliability of the car. Things are changing all the time, and this doesn't bother me. But I I don’t care much about rack and pinion steering or the new rear suspension or gearbox. I don’t know if anyone would be excited about such things. I don’t know that the technology in these cars is so important to today’s fans.”

Many "fans of today" say that 20-25 years ago were "good times in the past." Trey and Rusty are from near Charlotte and have been NASCAR fans (they proudly boast) for nearly 50 years. They still love the sport, but worry about its future. They talked so fast that it was difficult to distinguish each other.

"Man, they really brought them back to the 70s and 80s," they said almost simultaneously. "Yes, there was money at the time, but unlike today, it seems that everything has nothing to do with money, not racing. The cars on the track looked more like cars in the showroom. There have been many changes, and it’s okay, but Nothing is like Earnhardt was in the game. When he lost him, NASCAR lost a lot.

"As for this new car: Are you talking about electric racing cars? No? Oh, good."

"As for this new car: Are you talking about electric racing cars? No? Oh, yes. Personally, I (nodded) don’t care what makes the cars run, as long as they run fast, it’s a wonderful show. Performance. This is what I care about." (The two nodded again). "Rack and pinion steering doesn't excite me. I don't like the idea of ​​a lug nut. I mean, can it be fixed to the wheel at 200 miles per hour? Really... I don't care about the length of the car. What kind, as long as it is Ford, Toyota or Chevrolet. I will not buy anything that is not racing here."

Wyatt is from western Virginia, close to Bristol, Martinsville, Nashville, Charlotte and Richmond. He is excited about the new car because of technical and mechanical changes and visual effects. But like many others, he is waiting to see a realm of full marks and money.

"I hope that the composite body can reduce tire friction and reduce the number of tires that cause accidents," he said. "I'm very excited about this. I am looking forward to the technical changes. The pit stops will be different because they can change the tires before refueling. This may affect the game strategy. It will be very exciting."

Sean and Brandy from West Virginia like the idea that NASCAR is moving forward after years of using current cars. "They try new things in the car and change its appearance, which is pretty cool," Sean said. "Maybe it will give smaller teams more opportunities."

Brandy has her own Take 0n next-generation car: "I like the look of it," she said, "but let's wait and see how it performs. This is the most important thing."