Could new Nationwide car disrupt Cup incursions?

Published on Thu Jan 21, 2010
Could new Nationwide car disrupt Cup incursions?
<p>ONCORD, N.C. Some short takes from the NASCAR Sprint Media Tour: NASCAR's Nationwide Series will unveil its version of the Sprint Cup's "car of tomorrow" this season. Just don't call it that. The car will be simply termed "the new Nationwide car" and will be used in four races this season – Daytona (July), Michigan (August), Richmond (September) and Charlotte (October). </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>The car, which will have safety improvements and designs more representative of each of the four manufacturers, will also have a more different setup from Cup cars. And that might make it more difficult for Cup drivers to adjust when they run Nationwide races. </p><p> </p><p>"Hopefully, they'll be too busy (with Cup racing) to worry about (the new car)," said Nationwide driver Colin Braun. </p><p> </p><p>The new car will undergo further tests at Talladega, Richmond, Charlotte and Daytona before its first race at Daytona in July. Each manufacturer will use a unique model for the car – Ford's Mustang, Chevy's Impala, Dodge's Charger and Toyota's Camry. </p><p> </p><p>The Nationwide series will get another publicity boost when Danica Patrick races 10 times in the series. </p><p> </p><p>If Nationwide series director Joe Balash might be a candidate for the job of Sprint Cup series director – which will be vacated by John Darby – bu he wasn't saying much on Wednesday. But Balash did say he's happy with the job he has now.</p>