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Since its introduction to racing in 2022, the Next-Gen Cup car has been the center of controversy. From supply chain issues with the spec car to aero issues that go beyond the build, there has been no lost love with the Cup car. But is this unwarranted hate?
2022 ended with the most different race winners in a season, with 19, tying the highest in a season alongside 2001, 1961, 1958, and 1956. This immediately cemented the narrative of “leveling the playing field” that was highly publicized during the car’s development. This ended the era of ‘pay to play’ in the Cup Series when it came to being competitive. Everyone had the same car; it was a matter of what you could do with it.
2022 also saw the first time NASCAR saw 16 different winners in the regular season, ultimately filling the playoffs. This was changed as, unfortunately, Kurt Busch of 23XI was injured during qualifying at Pocono, removing him from playoff contention.
2023 could be seen as a sophomore slump for the new Cup car, but there was a fair share of excitement. The majority of the Cup schedule is 1.5-mile speedways, and this car does not disappoint on those. Tracks that haven’t gotten the love they deserve, such as Kansas, Homestead, and Las Vegas, became must-see TV. We saw 14 different winners prior to the playoffs in 2023, followed by one more in the playoffs, making 16 winners in 2023.
2024, the Next-Gen has come back with a vengeance. From compelling racing to the closest finishes in history, there has been no lack of fireworks. In the second race of 2024, we saw the closest finish with a .003-second difference between Daniel Suarez and Ryan Blaney. Fast forward to Kansas a few weeks later, and we get the closest finish again with a .001-second finish between Kyle Larson and Chris Buescher. Then again, this past weekend at Talladega, we are treated to a .006-second difference between Ricky Stenhouse Jr. and Brad Keselowski.
Add in some short track flair with the spring Bristol race and tires, to a thrilling finish at the summer Richmond race and a brawl during the All-Star race, and this season has been nothing short of exciting. The storylines, drama, and cliffhangers unfolding in 2024 are causing people to continually tune in each Sunday.
The controversy and backlash of the next-gen boils down to aero and passing. The car creates heavy drag, making it difficult to battle as the tailing car. The leaders have the advantage of aero blocking a car behind them to kill a run. The wake creates such a disturbance that if you run directly behind another car, you will not gain anything. This is the narrative being told currently, but it isn’t necessarily visible to those watching. The battles for the lead each week and the movers throughout the pack tell us that there is the ability to move forward.
NASCAR has heard the cries throughout the industry for chance, but is there much to be done? Sure, the tires could be softer, or we could simplify the diffuser, but one thing remains: they have been putting on a show.
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