|
 |
|
|
|
|
ARCA Approves 105-Inch Wheelbase Chassis For 2010 Competition
Officials of the Automobile Racing Club of America (ARCA) have announced that the 105-inch wheelbase chassis currently used in the NASCAR Nationwide and NASCAR Camping World East and West Series has been approved for competition in 2010 in the ARCA Racing Series presented by RE/MAX.
The 105-inch wheelbase chassis will be approved for ARCA competition at all tracks except the restrictor plate venues of Daytona Int'l Speedway and Talladega Superspeedway. The newly approved wheelbase chassis will see action on-track alongside the current 110-inch wheelbase cars at 19 of the series' 21 races in 2010, with a rules package designed to create parity between the 105- and 110-inch cars. Outwardly, all cars will bear the same sheet metal configuration as the present lineup including Chevrolet Monte Carlo and Impala SS, Dodge Charger, Ford Fusion and Toyota Camry body styles. The ARCA base rules package of 3400 pound, steel-bodied stock cars with corresponding auto manufacturer engine and body configuration will remain in place.
|
|
|
| |
 |
The timing of the approval coincides with the gradual exit of the present-day 105-inch wheelbase chassis from the Nationwide Series. NASCAR has announced the introduction of the Car of Tomorrow (COT) into the Nationwide Series in 2010, beginning with the July race at Daytona Int'l Speedway. By the end of next season, the Nationwide Series is scheduled to have transitioned exclusively to use of the COT for 2011.
"Since the inception of our series in 1953, we've kept an open line of communication with NASCAR and others to monitor industry trends," said ARCA President Ron Drager. "At the time of the evolution of the NASCAR Sprint Cup COT technology, ARCA team owners represented a market for NASCAR team owners to sell the racecars they were cycling out of inventory. We're positioned to accommodate a similar situation with the NASCAR Nationwide team owners. We've invested a great deal of research and interaction into this move with several groups, in particular our ARCA team owners, and we feel this is the right step with the proper timing for everyone involved."
Currently, the only chassis approved for use in ARCA is the 110-inch wheelbase car, which the series has campaigned exclusively since 1985. ARCA experienced an influx of racecars as the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series transitioned to the COT technology in 2007.
The 2010 ARCA Racing Series presented by RE/MAX kicks off at Daytona Int'l Speedway on Saturday, Feb. 6, with the 47th running of the Lucas Oil Slick Mist 200.
PaddockTalk Perspective
|
|
|
| |
|