NASCAR Single Lug Nut

[Yooper]

Pit stops will change to single lug nut in 2021 season with NextGen car

Changing four tires will take slightly shorter with new 18-inch aluminum wheels for the Cup Series next year, but the choreography should remain the same.

nascar.nbcsports.com

So NASCAR is going to the single lug nut system (as opposed to the current 5).

For me, this is sort of bittersweet. On the plus side (I guess), it moves NASCAR toard what other racing series have been doing (for some time). This also is a negative for me because I became a NASCAR fan because they used to be STOCK CARS. Just another step into the future and away from its STOCK CAR roots. 'Cause if I wanted F1 I'll watch F1 (which I do, but not with the "devotion" I had for NASCAR).

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[stgislander]

I just saw that as well. Seems like they are making enough changes to the "car of tomorrow" to tempt some other manufacturers to join.

 

[WingsOfGold]

Bad idea, races are often won or lost in the pit. Look for far less incidents for car coming back in because of vibration.

 

[Yooper]

I just saw that as well. Seems like they are making enough changes to the "car of tomorrow" to tempt some other manufacturers to join.

Maybe so. But what exactly do manufacturers do these days other than provide motors?

So who else would want to get in? Dodge, I guess. Can't see Honda being interested. Or Nissan. None of the German/Europeans. And certainly none of the lower-level Japanese or any of the Koreans.

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[Grumpy]

I don't like it, takes a part of the team out of the mix. NASCAR would be better off going retro, they're losing(lost really) their uniqueness. Think of the 40 to 50 lugnut specialists that will be out of work. j/k..

 

[GWguy]

It's what they've been using in open wheel racing forever. I always thought it made more sense, but it is a departure from 'stock' car racing.

 

[gemma_rae]

Maybe so. But what exactly do manufacturers do these days other than provide motors?

So who else would want to get in? Dodge, I guess. Can't see Honda being interested. Or Nissan. None of the German/Europeans. And certainly none of the lower-level Japanese or any of the Koreans.

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On the contrary, Honda is interested. If not with the Honda name itself, with it's sports car division Acura. NASCAR officials have been having talks since Indy last year. And who won Indy? Acura of course. They are also in direct competition with Toyota, targeting it's Camry model.

The other name in the mix is Hyundai, as they have already gotten into the IMSA series and see Toyota and Honda as their main competition for market share.

 

[itsbob]

Single Lugnut?? I thought I remember him getting married...

 

[Yooper]

On the contrary, Honda is interested. If not with the Honda name itself, with it's sports car division Acura. NASCAR officials have been having talks since Indy last year. And who won Indy? Acura of course. They are also in direct competition with Toyota, targeting it's Camry model.

The other name in the mix is Hyundai, as they have already gotten into the IMSA series and see Toyota and Honda as their main competition for market share.

Huh. I thought Indy League cars were 4 cylinder (6 max). My bad; just looked it up and they run 8 cylinders just like NASCAR (don't follow Indy Car much). So my bad; I withdraw (most of) my comment.

Okay, I can see Honda. That would be interesting. Hyundai in NASCAR? That would be REALLY interesting.

Thanks for the reply/comment/correction.

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[limblips]

Didn't see this coming. As Yooper said, another step away from stock cars. I began to lose my interest (Chris Economaki days) when they started with the template cars. Then we went to messing with spoilers, air dams, front wheel drive production cars and all of the other non-production changes. Why did they feel the need to go to 18 inch aluminum wheels? Oh well, this will free up more time for me to go fishing and hunting.

 

[gemma_rae]

Thanks for the reply/comment/correction.

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Thanks Yoop!

My Dad and I watched racing a lot when I was little, he was a die hard Richard Petty fan and met him many times in 50's and 60's. I watch Indy to see the NASCAR owners and drivers that participate in both, Penske, Ganassi and Andretti come to mind.

 

[gemma_rae]

Why did they feel the need to go to 18 inch aluminum wheels?

My thoughts from what I have read: Taller wheel usually means less side wall, and although 18" is a bigger wheel, aluminum weighs less and it has to be bigger to have the same strength as the steel wheels. It also eliminates the need to glue the lug nuts. As I understand it, the new lug wrench will retain the single lug nut, and use the same lug nut to put back on. It's also going to create faster pit stops, so if the pit crews screw up it's going to mean they lose a lot more positions.

 

[limblips]

My thoughts from what I have read: Taller wheel usually means less side wall, and although 18" is a bigger wheel, aluminum weighs less and it has to be bigger to have the same strength as the steel wheels. It also eliminates the need to glue the lug nuts. As I understand it, the new lug wrench will retain the single lug nut, and use the same lug nut to put back on. It's also going to create faster pit stops, so if the pit crews screw up it's going to mean they lose a lot more positions.

I understand but why did they feel the need to go further from production representative? Next thing they will be riding on 22"s like the ghetto cruisers.

 

[gemma_rae]

I understand but why did they feel the need to go further from production representative? Next thing they will be riding on 22"s like the ghetto cruisers.

You got me.
If I had my way, at least one race a year each driver would have to go to a dealership and drive a car off the lot straight to the track and race it.

 

[jrt_ms1995]

But what exactly do manufacturers do these days other than provide motors?

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Do they even do that? I thought everyone was required to use, basically, a 350 short block they could stick heads on. Or perhaps I'm just showing my age.

 

[stgislander]

Do they even do that? I thought everyone was required to use, basically, a 350 short block they could stick heads on. Or perhaps I'm just showing my age.

I believe Toyota TRD still supplies all the teams with engines.