NASCAR Nationwide Series Ford Mustang...

[bigdaddyzx3]

Originally Posted by boostedzx3

yep, seriously though I just had to do it. I really didn't drive one

Didn't figure you had, but I wasn't about to call you a liar.

Pardon my crankiness... bad back, day two.

[MichaelXi]

Originally Posted by Spatakula

Ugly.. uh sticker placement?

I do like the Challenger and like the fact that is looks like its road going counterpart with its recessed headlights and front fascia.

-spatakula

I'm still trying to figure out if the headlights on the Challenger and the Mustang are Recessed, or if they are just AMAZING Stickers. From the A-Pillar back, they are ALL Identical except for the stickers... If the Ford and Dodge are ACTUALLY recessed in the nose, they are likely to be at a disadvantage compared to the Toyota and Chevy.
Considering that the specs on the cars are so tight, I'm not too terribly disappointed, even though I wish they'd gone to a looser spec with more brand-identity.
They haven't been "Stock" cars for a LONG time, and haven't looked close to their stock counterparts at all since the mid 90's, so we shouldn't be too surprised. With the Safety advances in NASCAR lately, I'm pretty sure that they'd rather stick with what they know will keep the drivers Safe, and work from there, rather than step backward in time.

A neat alternative would be to have a NEW Lower-Level series that is more true to the old "Stock-Car" style, from the era after tube-frames came into use, which has power and/or gear rules limiting the speed. Of course that would be boring on the "BIG" tracks, so IMO they should do a series on the Intermediate and especially the Short tracks, (Treat places over a mile almost as if they were like Daytona), 3 or 4 Road-Courses, and promote the HECK out the Series as the "NEW Old-School Racing", with Exciting commercials and plenty of TV time. It worked with the Truck Series, IMO it could work again and would give more drivers jobs and career-paths, and give crewmen opportunities as well. I guess the only problem would be Sponsorship money... Maybe.
I'm thinking it should be something between the Koni Challenge Series and the NASCAR Truck Series.
It would be Awesome to have them run VIR, Laguna Seca, Infineon Full-Course, Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, and Road Atlanta, along with places like Rockingham, Martinsville, Bristol, ORP (formerly IRP), and Darlington.
They could call it the "Good Ol' Boys" Series if that wouldn't get them sued for being sexist.

[MichaelXi]

One thing that does bother me...
Why is the Chevy still badged as an "Impala" even though the Camaro is on the Market?

It's kind of obvious with the Toyota, since they don't have a car that belongs on the track in ANY "Stock Car" form, that they'd keep the "Camry" name...

[Spatakula]

I wouldn't say that the Mustang's front fascia is recessed at all. It has the regular racecar shape with minimal distinguishable brand body lines. The Challenger on the other hand...



Look at the reflection on the bumper from the "Challenger" and "R/T" emblem and the grill lines. If it was not recessed those reflection would never appear. Also look at the white tubing going around the grill. In the first pic, from a higher angle, it shows the grill tubing cut off. Now take a look at the same car at a lower angle.



The entire grill tubing is showing.

I am kind of puzzled on why it is recessed though. Wouldn't that affect the aerodynamics substantially?

-spatakula

[j20000]

The Nationwide Mustang looks like CRAP compared to the Dodge...but maybe just because it's black

[blueovaldave]

Originally Posted by MichaelXi

One thing that does bother me...
Why is the Chevy still badged as an "Impala" even though the Camaro is on the Market?

It's kind of obvious with the Toyota, since they don't have a car that belongs on the track in ANY "Stock Car" form, that they'd keep the "Camry" name...

Chevrolet declined to use the Camaro based on the fact that "they did not want to chop up the classic lines of the car to make it fit the templates."

[MichaelXi]

Originally Posted by blueovaldave

Chevrolet declined to use the Camaro based on the fact that "they did not want to chop up the classic lines of the car to make it fit the templates."

But with that ugly greenhouse, it would match the best of all of them!

[MichaelXi]

Originally Posted by Spatakula

I am kind of puzzled on why it is recessed though. Wouldn't that affect the aerodynamics substantially?

-spatakula

I would think that it would affect things substantially.
The "Old-Schooler" in me says, "So What?".
The rest of me says, "If the entire rest of the car is built to such a tight spec, there's a problem there."

[blueovaldave]

From an interview I heard with the Ford guy 2 weeks ago when they unvieled the Mustang they said Nascar basically came to them and said, "Here are the wind tunnel numbers you need to meet. What you bring from there is up to you."

[MichaelXi]

BTW Spat,
I just looked again...
Pic #23....
The noses on all 4 look fairly distinct in profile, and all have a recess to some degree, but none nearly as much as the Dodge. Even the Camry has a "character-line" around the grille-sticker.
I'm thinking that the "Mustang" hood has a tiny bit of over-hang too.
I'd like to see more angles and some closer shots.

[MichaelXi]

Originally Posted by blueovaldave

From an interview I heard with the Ford guy 2 weeks ago when they unvieled the Mustang they said Nascar basically came to them and said, "Here are the wind tunnel numbers you need to meet. What you bring from there is up to you."

Interesting then that so much is dictated. (A-Pillar to the rear).
I wonder as much or more about downforce as I do about drag.

Have you heard any explanation as to why they took this series to the use of splitters, despite all of the complaints from the Cup guys? From cut tires, to lack of downforce when behind someone, I'd have though that they would have gone a different route.
Also, what's up with that bizarro rear spoiler?
Interesting, but dang ugly.

Hmmm.

[2xtremefocus]

Originally Posted by Spatakula

I wouldn't say that the Mustang's front fascia is recessed at all. It has the regular racecar shape with minimal distinguishable brand body lines. The Challenger on the other hand...



Look at the reflection on the bumper from the "Challenger" and "R/T" emblem and the grill lines. If it was not recessed those reflection would never appear. Also look at the white tubing going around the grill. In the first pic, from a higher angle, it shows the grill tubing cut off. Now take a look at the same car at a lower angle.



The entire grill tubing is showing.

I am kind of puzzled on why it is recessed though. Wouldn't that affect the aerodynamics substantially?

-spatakula

I'm sure it has some sort of aerodynamic effect on the car. If it was a negative effect, they wouldn't have done it.

I'll bet it helps create downforce somehow on the front of the car along with the front splitter they have on it.

These things weren't just thrown together. It'll work.

[bigdaddyzx3]

Originally Posted by 2xtremefocus

These things weren't just thrown together. It'll work.

Oh come now... we all know that there is no real engineering in NASCAR.... it's just ol' Bubba and Chesnut slangin wrenches 'round.

[Spatakula]

Originally Posted by MichaelXi

BTW Spat,
I just looked again...
Pic #23....
The noses on all 4 look fairly distinct in profile, and all have a recess to some degree, but none nearly as much as the Dodge. Even the Camry has a "character-line" around the grille-sticker.
I'm thinking that the "Mustang" hood has a tiny bit of over-hang too.
I'd like to see more angles and some closer shots.

Yeah. This was the only wildcard pic that made me think otherwise of the Mustang.

Originally Posted by 2xtremefocus

These things weren't just thrown together. It'll work.

Work and work well are two different concepts. I just cant see how that much of a flat plane could positively effect the car performance. Meh, what do I know anyways.

-spatakula

[wilko]

Man the Nationwide Mustang looks like a orthopedic shoe. Why dont they just cut the crap, strip, cage, build and, regulate the actual cars?????????????????????????

[MichaelXi]

Originally Posted by wilko

Man the Nationwide Mustang looks like a orthopedic shoe. Why dont they just cut the crap, strip, cage, build and, regulate the actual cars?????????????????????????

Because it would be a Different Series then.

Other Series do Exist, and you MAY have read my idea above for another one, but for the Nationwide Series, they Could NOT do as you suggest.

[wilko]

I was with you all the way up till the title of the series... There is somthing about that title that forces me not to like it.

[MichaelXi]

Originally Posted by wilko

I was with you all the way up till the title of the series... There is somthing about that title that forces me not to like it.

Well, I think "Grassroots" is taken?
How about the "Ass, Gas, or Grass" Series?

[frdfocszx3]

Dodge has ford beat by a mile. About the worst rendition of a mustang I've seen. Ok, I'm sure there's worse ones out there, but still.

[MichaelXi]

Originally Posted by frdfocszx3

Dodge has ford beat by a mile. About the worst rendition of a mustang I've seen. Ok, I'm sure there's worse ones out there, but still.

So the Mustang Funny Cars are closer?
Which Mile are you using when talking of a Dodge Victory?
If it's Looks, well, that's Subjective.
The Dodge does WIN when when it comes to "resembling the car which is named by the stickers".

[frdfocszx3]

They're supposed to be "funny" cars, so I don't really count those. They admit they're funny already. I'm talking about looks period. Mustang looks like a 2 door LTD.

[boostedzx3]

that challenger looks sick

[MrBirdman330]

Originally Posted by MichaelXi

Interesting then that so much is dictated. (A-Pillar to the rear).
I wonder as much or more about downforce as I do about drag.

Have you heard any explanation as to why they took this series to the use of splitters, despite all of the complaints from the Cup guys? From cut tires, to lack of downforce when behind someone, I'd have though that they would have gone a different route.
Also, what's up with that bizarro rear spoiler?
Interesting, but dang ugly.

Hmmm.

Michael, its been said dozens of times by the drivers in many of their personal shows, NASCAR has become all about the wrecks. Its what the fans "WANT" (But not according to the fans) to see not hard core blasting around the track, nitty gritty Days of Thunder smash em up racing.

[wilko]

Originally Posted by boostedzx3

that challenger looks sick

Only up front. The rest is just plain wrong.

[wilko]

Originally Posted by MichaelXi

Well, I think "Grassroots" is taken?
How about the "Ass, Gas, or Grass" Series?

Better... How about the "We turn Left Too" League. I think it fits the purpose of the Nationwide series better.