Nationwide Series Car Will Be "Different" from Sprint Cup Configuration, NASCAR Says

I read a good line the other day by David Poole of The Charlotte Observer. In one his postseason columns, he made the point that NASCAR needs to be looking out the other window. Instead of looking out of the back of the tower at the business side Poole says, they need to take a glimpse at the track out front.

Doing that, he says, will naturally and positively affect the business side of the sport.

To me, NASCAR looks to be taking a step in that direction, as numerous articles over the past few days have indicated that the NASCAR Nationwide Series -- formerly known as Prince the NASCAR Busch Series -- is going to sport a much different race car in 2009, despite moving to the "NASCAR" (next-generation Car of Tomorrow) body style.

That same body style will be in full-time use for the Sprint Cup series in 2008.

Many complained, including myself, that NASCAR was simply going too far in keeping the two series the same, and not allowing any real definition.

Joe Balash, the director of the Nationwide Series, said that was not the intended plan, and talked about the two cars needing to drive different. The key? Suspension differences.

"We want the car to drive different.We've gone down the path of having two very similar cars and very easily taking the technology that makes the car turn both aerodynamically and with suspension interchange between the garages.

"As we go forward, we want more difference there. We want to have our cars use a more conventional spring setup. We're not going to use the bump-stops on the cars."

That's a nice step -- and there's more.
In addition the suspension differences, Balash also noted that the hood will sit higher and the rear deck lid will be shorter -- mainly because the series will become based on models not used in the Sprint Cup Series.

Manufacturers are still deciding what model to use, though it appears likely Ford will run a Mustang, Chevrolet a Camaro and Dodge a Challenger. Toyota likely will stick to the Camry, sources said.

Sweet.

There's even more, and it was to do with the part of the Sprint Cup car NASCAR fans love/hate the most.

The wing.

From David Poole's blog:

The Nationwide car will be built on the same chassis as the Cup Series car of tomorrow, but the bodies will be different. And, at least right now, the Nationwide cars will have spoilers and not wings

fThat's plenty of changes, and they'll definitely make the cars drive differently But will that keep the Sprint Cup stars from "Nation-whacking" on Saturday's?

Doubt it.

But another possibility of this configuration is that NASCAR will have some new answers if big changes are needed to the Sprint Cup car in the near future.