France family jumps shark! NASCAR content:

http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/28/ford-mustang-is-officially-nascar-bound-in-the-nationwide-seri/

The Ford Mustang is is headed to NASCAR, where stickers bearing the Mustang name and front end details will be affixed to stock cars that otherwise bear no resemblance whatsoever to the 2010 Mustang. The NASCAR Nationwide Series "Mustang" will be part of a "limited roll-out" during the 2010 season, which leads us to believe the car will see a full introduction the following year. The idea here is that using the Mustang nameplate in the Nationwide Series will help further differentiate it from the top-tier Sprint Cup. While that may well be the case, after seeing the rendering supplied by Ford above, we have to admit we winced a little. That NASCAR Mustang? Kinda funny-lookin'. So what do you think? Follow the jump to vote in our poll and read the official PR.

4 headlight stickers instead of 2...it must be twice as better as the NASCAR Camry.

Mustang
Camaro
Challanger
Genisis Coupe?

How far away are we from a NASCAR Prius or F150

BoneYard_Racing wrote: How far away are we from a NASCAR F150

10 years ago... Google Craftsman Truck.

BoneYard_Racing wrote: How far away are we from a NASCAR Prius or F150

the F 150 is in the Craftsmen truck series, thats completly diffrent lol

At least the Mustang is a front engine, rear drive, solid axle, V8. That bears a lot more resemblance to a "stock car" than the Fusion, Camry, etc.

In reply to BoneYard_Racing: About one sponsorship signature and several million dollars, that's how far away. Rumor Department: The 2011 COT will use liquid crystal paint that is computer controlled. Depending on who's paying the bills at any given time, the vehicle can be made to 'look kinda like' any car or truck with just a couple of mouse clicks.

The 2012 COT will be a dull Grey ovoid. During the broadcast, a computer image of the desired car will be 'painted' into the feed. This also allows different sponsorship and advertising to be sold for different markets, and also reruns of the broadcast.

By 2013 the standard NASCAR driver helmet will also be a featureless Grey ovoid. So a computer generated 'face' and personality can be dubbed in at will. Celebrities and the wealthy will be able to pay for the privelege of being a NASCAR star. 'Reality programming' (aka Soap Operas, aka Professional Wrestling) will be introduced.

2020 - NASCAR championship driver Sarah Palin was elected President today, when she passed Tom Cruise on the last lap of the Anchorage 600 race, driving a Lada ('I can see the plant where it was made from my front porch, don'cha know').

billy3esq wrote: At least the Mustang is a front engine, rear drive, solid axle, V8. That bears a lot more resemblance to a "stock car" than the Fusion, Camry, etc.

my reaction exactly..

I feel bad for the graphics designer given that job. "You want me to make a WHAT loook like THAT?!?!"

erohslc wrote: In reply to BoneYard_Racing: About one sponsorship signature and several million dollars, that's how far away. Rumor Department: The 2011 COT will use liquid crystal paint that is computer controlled. Depending on who's paying the bills at any given time, the vehicle can be made to 'look kinda like' any car or truck with just a couple of mouse clicks. The 2012 COT will be a dull Grey ovoid. During the broadcast, a computer image of the desired car will be 'painted' into the feed. This also allows different sponsorship and advertising to be sold for different markets, and also reruns of the broadcast. By 2013 the standard NASCAR driver helmet will also be a featureless Grey ovoid. So a computer generated 'face' and personality can be dubbed in at will. Celebrities and the wealthy will be able to pay for the privelege of being a NASCAR star. 'Reality programming' (aka Soap Operas, aka Professional Wrestling) will be introduced. 2020 - NASCAR championship driver Sarah Palin was elected President today, when she passed Tom Cruise on the last lap of the Anchorage 600 race, driving a Lada ('I can see the plant where it was made from my front porch, don'cha know').

JmfnB wrote:

BoneYard_Racing wrote: How far away are we from a NASCAR F150

10 years ago... Google Craftsman Truck.

Yeah I sort of forgot about the trucks

First of all, it might be the ugliest car ever made. Second it doesn't look like a Mustang.

I think Nascar should move back towards where it got started, go back to "Stock" car racing. I think racing would translate more directly to sales if the cars actually looked like their stock counterparts. There has been a bit of a revival of GT type cars that would make a great foundation for a new series (any VC people out there? I'll be glad to head it up).

I figure you take the current lineup of GT cars and race them in near stock form. 2, doors, 4 seats, RWD or AWD. Use a weight penalty system to level the playing field and run an equal number of road courses and ovals. None of this different chassis for different courses stuff. Require homologation so that we the people get to buy them too. Think about the cars that could be in this series:

Mustang Camaro Challenger BMW M3 911 Carrera 2 Infinity G37 Mazda Rx8 (maybe) Audi S5 Aston Martin Vantage Bentley Continental GTC Ferrrari 575 Hyundai Genesis Lotus Evora Maserati GrandTurismo Mercedes SL65 AMG

I'm sure I am missing a few, but you get the idea. If small cars ever grab hold of a main stream market you do the same for FWD. And I know that it sounds like Koni / Speed Challenge, but by running ovals (tracks familiar to Nascar audiences) you'll open the sport up to a larger group.

[Robert Duvall] There's nothing stock about a stock car [/Robert Duvall]

See my SPEC OE thread.

They are missing out on building cars like the "tube frame" Grand Am cars that look like OE bodies.

Run that type of car, at specific weight points to make each manufacturers engine competitive then let the fans roll in!