A NASCAR stock car and a generic road car are miles apart. Let's look at the engine for instance. A normal street car usually uses a V6 engine to bring out an optimum balance between power and fuel efficiency. However, a stock car capitalises on a specially modified V8 engine, that's designed to produce maximum horsepower which can shoot up to 700, making the street cars look like midgets in terms of speed and performance.
However, for someone who's entirely new to the sport, getting that information would need some research. Nevertheless, there are other differences between a NASCAR race car and a normal street car. One of the most noticeable differences is the absence of side-view mirrors. Yes, NASCAR cars do not have them.
Why do NASCAR cars not have side mirrors?
The aerodynamic balance plays a huge role in how a car runs at dare-devilish speeds close to 200 mph. And when running at such dangerously fast speeds, every inch of the car's body has an effect on how it runs. On that note, side-view mirrors would most likely obstruct the air and therefore create an imbalance in the handling of the car. Moreover, they can also bring down the speed of the car significantly, which of course, the teams don't want.
Furthermore, there are safety concerns. Say there's a door-to-door crash. The protruding side mirrors are the elements on the body of the car that's most likely to break off first. This could potentially hurt the driver, or even result in the accumulation of debris on the track. Even then, the importance of side view mirrors while driving a car is undeniable.
Therefore, one might ask: how do the drivers know if there's another car approaching them from behind? Needless to say, navigation plays an integrated role in running these high horsepower beasts on NASCAR's racetracks.
Also Read : Can NASCAR cars touch each other?
How do NASCAR drivers navigate?
That's where the spotters come in. These extremely experienced individuals stay on a high point and communicate with the driver constantly throughout the race through an wireless radio that is attached to the driver’s HANS device. They are the ones who alert the driver of any on-track anomaly or even, an ensuing crash. The driver can also communicate any issues that he or she might be facing while driving.
Interestingly, other forms of motorsports like Formula 1 do have side view mirrors. However, they are designed in a way to reduce the aerodynamic drag. Why can't NASCAR do that? Well, one reason could be that F1 races on more diverse race tracks than the ones that NASCAR pays visits to, which are mostly ovals (other than street courses). Luckily, NASCAR does allow the cars to have a small rear-view mirror inside the car.
FAQ's on Do NASCAR Drivers Have Side Mirrors?
No, they don't. The headlights on the cars are merely stickers.
The tracks that host races at night are brightly illuminated from all directions. Hence, the drivers do not need headlights to see their way as they drive.
A door would pose a huge risk of injury if it breaks off of a car and hits another in the traffic.
The Dodge Charger that Buddy Baker drove and topped the 200 mph speed threshold at Daytona, was eventually banned by NASCAR.
The helmets that the drivers wear are fire-resistant, as well as highly durable. Therefore there is no need for airbags.
