What happens to NASCAR auto racing if one day we all convert to alternative fuel?

Question

I follow NASCAR only periodically - I have a favorite racer; however, after researching where the "Big 3" are going with electric powered cars (as well as the other manufacturers) and current initiatives underway by all to develop these cars - I am curious to know if NASCAR will follow suit or will they continue with fuel operated cars.

NASCAR is a great sport for a lot of dedicated fans - arguably can be considered the largest sport in North America. (Personally I am first and foremost an NHL Hockey fan, and as a Southern Californian who went to USC a BIG Trojan Football Fan - sports aside - this is a serious question).

I am looking for intelligent answers here - something that will allow me to do some research for fun. I recently was shown the new Chevy (by the engineer who designed it) that will be out in 3 years - all electric, and I am not big on the "quality" of American made cars; however, I have to admit this one REALLY caught my eye.

Answer 1

according to an article on CBS news on line dated August 4, 2007, all Indy cars will run on alcohol.  "Next year, these open-wheel cars will run on 100 percent ethanol." now I know that Indy is not NASCAR and I'm not a gear head, but it seems that if Indy can do the alcohol gig, NASCAR could go the same direction.  problem is, in order to grow corn and other ethanol sources, we still need fertilizer, production of which relies on natural gas.  it appears right now that NG is less likely to run out in the immediate future, but estimates can be wrong, as we've all seen.  now, IMHO, racing is entertainment, but not a sport.  as a  runner, biker, hiker, swimmer, it may just be semantics, but to me, its not a sport.

Answer 2

NASCAR would just convert to electric vehicle racing.

Answer 3

NASCAR will change.  The IRL is already running on pure ethanol.

One day, there is no doubt that NASCAR will be running on electricity or hydrogen.  But that will be when normal cars are also doing that.  Don't expect NASCAR to lead the parade on technology - just not their style.

Answer 4

they will probably stick with normal full cars for some time after.  becouse the transition will take a long time to develope new cars and to manufacture them.  also for an example cars that we drive stoped using leaded fuel years ago but nascar just stoped using leaded fuel this year so the transition like with the leaded fuels will take some time

Answer 5

They  would probably run on a alcohol based fuel.

Answer 6

Traditionally car racing of all types is where new ideas are tested out and popularized.  NASCAR will start using alternative fuels gradually and once they start placing the rest will start switching over as well.  It probably would be better all around if the races were opened to all fuels and power sources and then let the competition "shake them out."

Answer 7

Nothing will happen to NASCAR.  The Indy Car series has already switched to E100 as fuel (100% ethanol).  The drivers like it better cause ethanol burns cooler in their engines than gasoline and they get about 10-15% better horsepower over gas.  It is only a matter of time until NASCAR follows the Indy Car Series and does the same thing.

Answer 8

Consider this.  NASCAR only went to unleaded fuel this season.  The cars themselves are dinosaurs that just take advantage of high tech instruments and production techniques.

Answer 9

They will use the alternative fuel.  IRL already uses ethanol (a change from methanol) the Audi R10 runs on diesel, and could quite easily run on bio-diesel.

M S, Indy cars have not used gasoline since the sixties.  They used to use methanol, now they use ethanol.  Ethanol has more energy per gallong than methanol, but less than gasoline.

Answer 10

You will probably see a new competing organization for racing electric vehicles.

NASCAR is not likely to drop internal combustion engines in the near future.

I think that it would be interesting to see an all electric vehicle compete in a NASCAR race, however I doubt that NASCAR would be able to agree on the qualifying rules for an electric.

Answer 11

they will adapt.