The rise and fall of NASCAR’s car models through decades of time

By Farah Ben Gamra

·Updated: August 25, 2024

Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

NASCAR has evolved with time, and each generation of cars has contributed to its development. From the Hudson Hornet to the Next-Gen cars in use today, the sport constantly pushes for innovation. Here are some of the most iconic NASCAR car models, their rise and decline.

6. Hudson Hornet (1951–1954)

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The Hudson Hornet was one of the most important models in NASCAR’s history, both in terms of engineering and racing achievements. It came on the market in 1951 and was equipped with the H-145 engine, a flat-head six-cylinder engine with 145 horsepower. This engine, together with the low center of gravity of the ‘Fabulous Hornet‘ due to its step-down design, made it a powerful contender on the track.

NASCAR legends such as Marshall Teague, Herb Thomas, and Smokey Yunick drove the Hornet. Teague won seven NASCAR races in a Hornet. Thomas and Yunick controlled the 1953–54 seasons with 24 wins in 71 starts, including the Southern 500. Unfortunately, the Hudson Hornet production ended in 1957 after Hudson merged with Nash to form American Motors, thus ending the era of this popular NASCAR car model.

5. Ford Fairlane (1967–1970)

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The Ford Fairlane was a great car in the NASCAR in the 1960s, especially with David Pearson and Cale Yarborough behind the wheel. Pearson drove a 1966 Ford Fairlane, a beast of a car with a 427 V8 engine. It helped him rule the NASCAR Late Model Stock Sportsman Series (now known as the Xfinity Series) during that period.

The Fairlane was famous for its power and maneuverability. The car’s successes included Mario Andretti’s victory at the Daytona 500 in 1967. This model had a Ford Big Block FE engine and manual Top Loader 4-speed transmission, making it a tough competitor on race tracks. Fans and collectors who acknowledge its role in the evolution of the sport continue to celebrate this model. But as the 1970s came along, stronger regulations and the emergence of new models put it out of the market.

4. Chevrolet Monte Carlo (1971–1989)

The Chevrolet Monte Carlo was heavily associated with NASCAR during the 1970s and 1980s. Famous for its V8 engines and stylish looks, it soon gained popularity among racers. It had a long hood and short deck, which made it ideal for racing on NASCAR’s oval tracks. Some of the most famous drivers such as Cale Yarborough, Richard Petty, and Dale Earnhardt Sr. drove Monte Carlos to many victories. Indeed, Petty clinched his seventh championship in a Monte Carlo in 1979.

Chevrolet came up with the Aerocoupe version in the 1980s, which had a sloped rear window to enhance aerodynamics, and thus enhance the car’s performance. Nevertheless, by the late 1980s, NASCAR considered the Monte Carlo outdated and replaced it with other models from different manufacturers. Its model couldn’t be as innovative as some of the other modern cars and began to suffer in NASCAR. Chevrolet stopped using the Monte Carlo by 1989, bringing an end to the car’s twenty-year dominance of the sport.

3. Generation 4 (1992–2007)

NASCAR Generation 4 cars (1992–2007) was another big step moving towards the more aerodynamically styled automobile. Wind tunnels and body panels were now molded fiberglass and the designs were not far from the actual production cars. Some of the famous models are the Chevrolet Monte Carlo, Ford Taurus, and Dodge Intrepid which set the look and feel of NASCAR cars in this period.

NASCAR replaced the Lumina, used early in the Generation 4 era, with the Monte Carlo in 1995. Jeff Gordon drove the Monte Carlo to four championships, proving the car’s performance. The focus on aerodynamics and wind tunnel testing played a huge role in defining the Gen 4 cars and their impact on NASCAR. It made them some of the most recognizable and influential cars in the organization.

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2. Car of Tomorrow (2007–2012)

The Car of Tomorrow (CoT), unveiled in 2007, revolutionized NASCAR design. It had a blockier, less streamlined body to improve safety and equalize performance. It also came with a front splitter and a larger rear spoiler, focusing on safety and handling over speed. It now stressed drafting as a tactic with speeds around 180–190 mph.

The CoT brought a lot of uniformity among the cars of different manufacturers, thus turning NASCAR into a spec series and the driver’s talent becoming the determining factor. It also introduced big safety enhancements such as a bigger cockpit, centralized driving position, additional foam in doors, steel bars on the driver’s side, and a stiffer seat. However, the CoT was accused of robbing the show of the tradition of variety and innovation in NASCAR racing. However, it was a significant revolution in the sport because it found the middle ground between safety and cost control with the competitive spirit.

1. Generation 6 (2013–2021)

The new Generation 6 NASCAR models (2013–2021) brought back manufacturer uniqueness to the cars. The purpose was to increase the connection between the race cars and the production cars. The Gen 6 cars were now safer and more aerodynamically efficient. It had elements such as a stiffer roll cage and anti-flipping technology.

At first, the engines were capable of producing around 850 horsepower. But they later toned it down to a safer and more affordable 700. The cars broke many lap records. Also, since 2014 a new playoff system was introduced in the championship, bringing some new strategic approaches. NASCAR introduced the Next Gen car in 2022 to succeed the Gen 6 car, in a bid to take NASCAR to the next level and improve on the design with more standard parts, lower costs, and safety improvements.