Since I haven't really followed this part, can someone explain...?

Question

the whole COT to me?

Here is what I have been lead to believe, based on the little bit I have read.

That they have made all of the cars the same...even though they are different manufacturers. Can you tell me how they have done that?

And if they have done that, and that was the reason for it...can you explain to me why?

Because I always thought that each manufacturer brought their best equipment. And then it was up to each team to decide what best way to use that equipment to the best of each driver's ability on each track.

So if they are making things the same, and want everyone on a level playing field...what exactly is the point of that?? LOL!!

They want NASCAR to be based on luck, track position and crashes or not? Obviously, how well each driver drives plays into that too but I think to be on that level, they are all good drivers.

I know I am not probably wording this very well, and some will slam me of course, but hopefully some of you can help?? THANKS

Answer 1

The goal of the COT was to lower costs, increase safety, and even out the equipment difference between the top teams and the bottom teams.  Some of these things are easier to do than others but I think all have been a step in the right direction even if it hasn’t completely worked.

The old cars allowed for lots of minor body changes which let the teams customize a car for a specific track.  While that makes a car very good at this track it's completely unusable at another track.  They had to build 2 cars (1 primary and 1 backup) for almost every track.  The COT is a 1 size fits all kind of car.  It’s never going to be perfect on any track but it is usable at every track.  This means in theory you could use the same 2 cars for every race assuming you don't wreck it which lowers your costs.  In reality the big teams surely still build a different car for most tracks but as time goes on they will probably be building fewer cars than before.

Several drivers were killed and seriously injured in the mid 90s through 2000.  This is bad for the sport and probably costs them a lot of money for things like insurance too.  Nobody wants to see someone get hurt.  The new car is wider, taller, the driver sits more in the center, it’s more controllable once in a slide, and has more crush points to absorb the impact of a crash keeping drivers safe.

The last thing is trying to even out the difference between big teams and small teams.  Cost is a lot of that because big teams have money for better test equipment, better engineers, etc.  With all the cars being the same as far as shape it should allow the small teams to save money because there are fewer gray areas to change and modify (this probably hasn't worked).  The engines are still something teams can play around with and are manufacturer specific.  As teams race on every track a few times we will see them improve the drivability of the cars.  Nothing is ever perfect the 1st time you try it.

Answer 2

The new Cup car was designed to do many things. One was to drastically reduce costs. The old cars were hand built by each team and they were all a little different. These days, you can peel off the stickers and the paint and they are all the same. A few years ago, you could definitely tell the difference between a Martinsville car and a Talladega car. Not so anymore. They appear virtually identical except for some subtle detail work. This gets rid of all the specialty fabrication and purpose built cars that teams were building. All the manufacturers now run the same body style, so noone has an advantage in that area. The only advantage a team can get these days is making the suspension work better and produce more horsepower from the engine.

Answer 3

I'm not very helpful with the technical stuff and I sure can't explain them very well but alot of the guys on here are. It's a good question Hope you get your answer!! Good Luck=:)

(sorry I'm no help)

Answer 4

The car was designed for safety and better competition.  The safety is greatly improved, the competition, not so much.  As many drivers have stated, the car just isnt conducive to side-by-side racing.  It was supposed to even things out, but it's still a sport of the haves and have nots, unfortunately.

As far as the differing manufacturers, pretty much the only differences are the engine packages (Toyota gets a substantial number more HP than everyone else) and the decals.  Hope this helps a little.

Answer 5

They still have different engines and suspensions.  One problem with the different body styles was that one manufacturer would gain an advantage.  NASCAR would make them change something to try and "even" things out and then it would shift to another make.  The good thing about the COT is the fact that nobody gets an aero edge but the main thing is that they are much safer than the old "downforce" cars.   Because they have just one basic template for the car it is essentially the same one that is used at all the different types of tracks.  In the past they had superspeedway cars, road course cars and ones for the short tracks.  This is suppoesed to save the teams money and time spent in the wind tunnel.

3 STR8 N 08!!!

Answer 6

I don't know how long you have been a nascar fan or following the sport. but yes nascar used to be bring each manufactures best eqpt. an run it.  nascar began putting restrictions on cars when crystler showed up with there super bee or daytona 500 car ( giant fixed wing on the rear of the car.) in the 60's dodge smoked everyone everywhere. also with the increasing speeds came greater crashes so new safety equiptment.  h**l drivers never used to be required to wear helmets or seat belts.   in the late eighties early ninties nascar began putting even more restrictions on the cars horse power wheel base areodynamic design. up untill the COT car or car of today nascar has allowed different noses and rear ends for the cars depending on manufacture but everyone still cried from year to year that someone had an advantage.   so now we simply see engineer racing which is basicly who can make the best horse power and who can get the cars to turn better. don't take all this the wrong way with out a great driver and crew you can't go fast.     main reason for the COT was to create a more even playing field and most of all to create safer cars on the track...............