American car racing company NASCAR announced plans to finally debut its first-ever electric racecar at the opening event of the 2024 season, Busch Light Clash, at the LA Coliseum.
Professional racer David Ragan will drive the electric racecar prototype in Los Angeles on February 4, Forbes reports, citing The Athletic AUTO writer @jeff_gluck’s X post.
What’s currently known about NASCAR’s e-racecar?
NASCAR’s highly anticipated electric racecar is currently a generic NASCAR body and not exclusive to any particular make, as emphasized by the racing content creator.
The car racing company initially unveiled the development of the electric counterpart of its tube-frame silhouette racers in 2023. However, it has yet to provide more details about the upcoming electric racecar.
As of now, we only know that the model will have an all-electric powertrain and will not be really a “car.”
In late 2023, a photo of the electric NASCAR project car leaked on the r/NASCAR subreddit. It revealed the prototype’s rear fenders and a window line. Some members of the online community pointed out that the car’s appearance looked similar to the Ford Mustang Mach-E crossover.
“This car is to be prepared for the future. We’re not sitting here today and announcing a bunch of cars for a racing series. Think of this as a concept car.”
NASCAR Vice President of Vehicle Design Brandon Thomas
Does NASCAR plan to shift to EVs?
NASCAR’s plans to launch an all-electric racecar does not necessarily mean that it aims to fully shift to electric vehicles.
Despite a decline in popularity, NASCAR still boasts a loyal fanbase and strong relationships with the automakers whose logos appear on the stock cars.
Automakers such as Ford and Chevrolet believe that the cars driven on Sundays serve as a form of promotion to the public, retaining the iconic motto “Win on Sunday, Sell on Monday.”
Simply put, they anticipate the winning car on Sunday to gain customers’ interest, which may lead them to buy the vehicle.
It is also worth noting that it may be challenging for NASCAR to fully embrace EVs, as most fans value the engines’ roar of traditional racecars.
“From our point of view…When it comes to the adaptation of zero-carbon or electrification (hydrogen) is much more suited to motorsports than battery electric ever will be because the fact is that the fans are not going to embrace no noise.”
David Wilson, Group VP and President of Toyota Racing Development in the US
That said, NASCAR may be more receptive to hydrogen vehicles than battery-electric ones. Nonetheless, Mr. Wilson noted that the e sport “could be supplemented with some sort of a hybrid component.”
About the event
NASCAR will hold two “epic” races at the LA Memorial Coliseum on Sunday, February 4, 2024: the NASCAR Cup Series with the Busch Light Clash at the Coliseum and the NASCAR Mexico Series with the King Taco LA Batalla.
All ticket holders can attend the NASCAR Fan Fest, which will offer interactive activities for fans, including driver Q&As and musical performances, among others.
Presented below is the event’s schedule:
| Time | aCTIVITIES |
| 10:00AM PT | Coliseum Gates Open |
| 10:00 AM – 7:00PM PT | Fan Fest Open (Christmas Tree Lane) |
| 1:25PM PT | NMS: Driver Introductions (Frontstretch / Standing at Vehicle) |
| 1:30PM PT | LA Batalla en el Coliseo NMS Race (150 laps, 37.5 miles) |
| 2:45PM PT | NMS: Victory Podium Celebration (Peristyle) |
| 3:40PM PT | NCS: Last Chance Qualifying Race (75 Laps) |
| 4:55PM PT | NCS: Driver Introductions (Peristyle) |
| 5:00PM PT | Busch Light Clash at the Coliseum NCS Race (150 Laps, Green Only) |
| TBD | NCS: Race Break Concert – mgk (75 Laps in at Peristyle) |
| 6:45PM PT | NCS: Victory Podium Celebration (Peristyle) *Approximately* |
Interested attendees can secure a ticket worth $55 for Adults and $10 for Kids (12 and below).
