Comparing the Old Nascar car to the New Car of Tomorrow, which one is tougher?

Question

Because I have noticed that in the COT races so far this year, that in the COT races the car will pancake the wall and drive away with only minor damage, but with the Old car the car will hit the wall in the same way and the car will have heavy damage.

Answer 1

Douglas is on to something there. I noticed in the first COT races (up until now) that the COT didn't seem to fold up as much as the old car did. You didn't see any of them finishing Bristol looking like a modified (I did see one last week, but I don't remember who it was). This past week, I saw some MAJOR damage to some of the COT's, most noteably Kyle Petty's car. His impact with the wall really tore the heck out of his car, and Denny's second hit from behind didn't help matters either.

I am kinda concerned about Talladega myself. I'm almost thinking that the COT's are too stiff, and might actually do more damage than save drivers (that was the exact same thing that killed NASCAR Modified Legend Ritchie Evans....a car that was too stiff and did not give when he hit the wall). Only time will tell.

Answer 2

The COT is definitely tougher than the old car but I am kinda worried about Talledega. This car doesn't seem to absorb the amount of energy that the older car did.
Now as far as the COT goes, I think NASCAR really passed up an opportunity to build a more fan and driver friendly car by building a sponsor friendly car. I mean the thing looks like a moving billboard sign and pushes like a snow plow.

Answer 3

I fully believe that the COT is by far the stronger of the 2. As allot of the drivers have said "its like a tank" drives kinda like one also from what it sounds too. But the good thing is the drivers are safer in this car. One for the reason above and the second is its slower! Not the Greatest thing to be said but it is helping keep the racing closer!!!

Answer 4

It's not even close, the COT is much tougher than the downforce cars. They have stronger supports and tubing but one of the biggest differences is the energy absorbing foam in the door panels. They really serve a purpose and provide a lot moe support when they brush against another car or the wall.

Answer 5

The COT is very close to the "pre" modern era cars.
The cars from Detroit were built to withstand the "wide"turns and following scrapping impacts and keep running.
The modern era car were built from lighter sheet metal and the impact would do more than flatten a side it would fold the sheet metal and the front or rear clip,which was made to relace easily in the shop.
It appears the COT is built bulky and stronger to with stand the sideswipping impact with minimal body and frame damage.

Answer 6

The COT is a stronger car than the old car. It has more emphasis on safety than the old car...From the drivers that I have listened to on track pass complain alot about handling etc..a few have called it crap of tomorrow....Some like it some don't....But the COT is a much safer/tougher car..

Answer 7

COT or car-of-trash as I like to refer to them as, are built a lot more breakable but NASCAR assures us it is because of safety reasons and not that they want total and absolute control of the set up of the vehicles. I guess it is like the way they say that a car that comes appart in a crash actually is getting rid of energy as it comes apart. Therefore it looks like the car is cheaply made. A lot of race cars are designed to come apart everywhere but around the driver. I guess that is why everything falls off of them. Makes for a lot of debris caution laps.

They could have as easily taken the nose off of the IROCs and put padding in the doors. Next step "for safety" will be to put them in golf carts with doors.

Answer 8

The new car is much tougher to handle, it puts the race in the drivers hands and takes it out of the engineers hands, with much less downforce, the car does not stick to the track as it did before.

The rear wing also plays a big part, as the old spoiler would "Catch" much more air, making it a little harder to get loose, but now with much less downforce in the front and rear.

Point being, if you car is ill handling, you could see some drifting introduced into NASCAR next year, and possibly even Rally style 4 wheel slides, if you car is really messed up.

Answer 9

quite right, it certainly does appear that the new car (why do people still call it the COT? It's here....right now....we're not still waiting for it!) takes a bit more to damage it.

Answer 10

I think they designed the COT to be tougher as far as bump drafting and safety is concerned.