From a Mid-Engine V6 to Bizzare Driver Placement- Close Up Images & Walkaround Reveals NASCAR’s Brasil Series Cars’ Complete Departure From Next Gen

When we think of NASCAR, the first thing that comes to mind is the growling V8s we’ve all come to love over the years. Producing over 600 horsepower, the Cup Series challengers are a sight to behold and have exhilarated fans for decades. However, when Steve Phelps stated that more horsepower was not the answer, the NASCAR community went into a frenzy!

But when we look at NASCAR’s Brazilian feeder series cars, Steve Phelps’ statement might just make more sense to the community. The NASCAR Brazil Sprint Race cars might perhaps be a testament the fact that more horsepower isn’t the answer to every question. With just 300 horsepower, the mid-engine V6 behemoths might be smaller than the Cup Series challengers, but they surely pack a punch!

An in-depth look at the new NASCAR Brasil Sprint Race challenger

The series will feature a tube chassis car with a mid-engine layout. Whilst the weight is low at 2400 pounds, the star of the show is the amount of complicated engineering and improvement in safety NASCAR’s involvement with the category has brought. Taking a walk around the car, it’s easy to point out just why this challenger is so intriguing. Starting from the rear end, the mid-engine V6, push-rod suspension and tube chassis create a harmonious composition. The six-speed sequential transaxle is also visible.

Moving onto the engine bay, the engine would appear to be a 3.6 litre LY7 engine, which was used in the Pontiac G8 and GMC Arcadia locally. In its stock form, the engine produces 270 horsepower, which means it isn’t far-fetched to crank it to 300HP. Bozi Tatarevic also shared a closer look at the inboard dampers, which are located right above the transaxle. The tubular suspension is also placed along the rear with air ducts to cool the rear disc brakes.

Whilst the suspension set-up is pretty wild in itself, what might be a cause of concern for some is the centrally aligned cabin. Since the driver sits in the middle of the car, it might throw off some of our beloved Cup Series racers if they tried the Brazilian machine. The steering wheel itself is loaded with technology. The display of the steering contains a dash logger and other data that is vital during a race. On the other hand, the drivers can only make a few adjustments, such as the brake bias and anti-roll bar position.

When it comes to fuel injection, the Camaro/Mustang body car will feature an S8000 ECU from Injepro which will control the fuel flow as well as display data on the steering wheel. One of the car’s more gimmicky features, the doors feature a butterfly design theme with the hinges opening upwards. Unlike other racers, the Brazil Sprint Race Car features solid cut-outs for its front end, which means it’s all one piece!

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The cars also feature a 110-inch wheelbase similar to NASCAR. Whilst the car itself is a little smaller and narrower than a NASCAR Next Gen car, the new 300 HP engine is a big upgrade over the original 220HP turbo cylinder from Renault that the series would run. Whilst the car in itself is a sight to behold, the sport has been working tirelessly behind the scenes to expand the Cup Series’ horizons globally, and Brazil could be the perfect opportunity!

Brazil and NASCAR could be a match made in heaven

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When the GT Sprint Race category joined hands with NASCAR in 2022 to create the NASCAR Brasil Sprint Race, the executives at NASCAR had no idea just how lucrative the land of the Holy Cross could be for the sport. In an exclusive Motorsport.com interview, NASCAR’s Chief International Officer, Chad Seigler, shared his thoughts on Brazil and the sport’s prospects in the beautiful country in the future.

Reflecting on a highly successful first year, Seigler shared, “Our expectations were far beyond what we expected, our results were far beyond whatever those expectations were. If you look at the number of fans that showed up at this historic venue, you look at the type of racing we saw.”

The NASCAR boss was oozing optimism about Brazil’s future in the sport, claiming it was important to keep an eye on a market like Brazil. Seigler also wasted no time in expressing his long-term commitment, “This is not a one-year deal for us, as we sit down and talk regularly with Carlos [Col] and Thiago [Marques], and the discussion is always about where NASCAR will be in five years. So, although this year has exceeded expectations, I usually talk in meetings that we have to talk about 2024.”

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It’s safe to say that NASCAR’s commitment to global expansion is paying dividends after the Brazil Sprint Race series created some exhilarating moments in 2023. As we head into the next season with brand new challengers, can the series get any better?