How much does a NASCAR weigh? Unveiling the weight of a stock car

How much does a NASCAR weigh? Unveiling the weight of a stock car

Grace Waruguru
updated at October 29, 2023 at 9:44 AM

How much does a NASCAR weigh? These machines are built for speed and high performance, and weight is a significant factor in their building. The regulating body has specific requirements for racing vehicles, and drivers must ensure they meet all of them. In this article, we dive into the details of the cars, parts, and drivers' weight limits.

how much does a NASCAR weigh
NASCAR vehicles are specially designed to keep them at their optimum performance as they hit high speeds. Photo: Sean Gardner (Modified by author)
Source: Getty Images

Did you know that NASCAR (National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing) drivers must be within a specified weight range? Their body mass affects the vehicle's performance so that it is not too heavy or too light as it navigates the racing track. According to the NASCAR regulations, if an individual is below that, they must add the remaining pounds to the car to reach 180 pounds.

How much does a NASCAR car weigh?

How much does a NASCAR weigh in pounds? All race cars are weighed before and after every race to ensure they comply with the set requirements. The minimum weight for NASCAR's race cars is 3,300 pounds (1496 kg). This excludes the vehicle, driver, parts, and fuel. NASCAR vehicles are double the weight of Formula 1 cars, which are about 1500 Ibs.

Adding the driver's weight can bring the overall weight to over 3,500 pounds (1630kg). The weight restrictions give all the race cars equal competing ground. Additionally, they help to balance the cars and keep them in top-notch condition to avoid unnecessary strain on the engine and tyres.

What is the required NASCAR engine weight?

how much does a NASCAR car weigh
NASCAR cars weigh about 3300 pounds without the driver and fuel. Photo: James Gilbert (Modified by author)
Source: Getty Images

A race car that is too light strains the engine and can lead to overheating or damage to some equipment. A NASCAR engine should weigh 575 pounds (261kg). All vehicles use displacement 5.87L V-8 engines and use approximately 850 horsepower. The engine constitutes about 17% of the car's weight.

How much does a NASCAR tire weigh?

How much do a NASCAR wheel and tyre weigh? Race car vehicles' weight should be evenly distributed to avoid strain on the tyres, affecting the general performance. The recommended distribution is about 57% on the front wheels and 43% on the rear wheels, helping it remain stable on the track and allowing the driver to move faster and make sharper turns without destabilizing the car.

The NASCAR tyre sizes have changed significantly over the years to make them look more like street cars. The total weight of the tyres, when aired up, is 48 pounds. They are specially designed for these vehicles to give them a firm grip on the track.

How much does a NASCAR jack weigh?

how much does a NASCAR tire weigh
NASCAR drivers should not weigh more than 180 pounds. Photo: James Gilbert (Modified by author)
Source: Getty Images

NASCAR jacks use a single pump to lift the vehicle on two wheels. They are made of aluminium, making them lighter than the standard ones. The jack weighs about 22 pounds (10kgs) to ensure swift lifting of the car for refuelling and tyre change at the pit stop.

How much does a NASCAR gas can weigh?

NASCAR gas cans, frequently known as dump cans due to their size, are specially designed, larger, and shaped differently from regular cars. They can hold up to 12 gallons of fuel, and each gallon weighs around 6 pounds. A full tank weighs approximately 132 pounds.

How much does a NASCAR truck weigh?

NASCAR trucks have a minimum weight of 3400 pounds without the driver and fuel. Their engines produce as much horsepower as the cars and are generally heavier.

how much does a NACAR cup car weigh
NASCAR cars have a maximum speed limit of 200mph. Photo: Sean Gardner (Modified by author)
Source: Getty Images

How much does a NASCAR cup car weigh? With top speeds of 200 MPH, NASCAR vehicles require stability and balance to remain stable as the racers compete. Additionally, the parts and equipment should be easily replaced at the pit stop in the shortest time possible.

READ ALSO: How fast do NASCAR cars go?

Sports Brief published an article analyzing the speed of NASCAR vehicles. Auto racing is among the most dangerous sports but has surprisingly earned numerous fans and speed junkies. The speed limits vary depending on the different tracks. How fast do these vehicles go?

At Talladega Superspeedway, NASCAR race cars hit between 190 to 200 miles per hour. Occasionally, they exceed 200 miles per hour during qualifying runs or drafting packs during races. Check out the speed limits in the above article.

Authors
Grace Waruguru photo
Grace Waruguru
Grace has over 4 years of experience in article writing and digital media content creation for various local and global brands. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Communication (Public Relations) from Daystar University, Kenya.