Take a look at this, Can an 1970 Old Car Without Restrictor Plates Be Faster!?
Over the years, NASCAR has undergone significant evolution, not just in terms of its image, but notably in the transformation of the cars themselves.
In a recent demonstration, a striking comparison was made between a 1970 Plymouth Superbird, decked out for the NASCAR Cup Series, and a 2024 Camaro ZL1, similarly prepared for the Cup Series, at the revered Daytona International Speedway. Daytona, often dubbed the Super Bowl of NASCAR, stands as a timeless venue that has witnessed the sport’s many changes.
Placing these two iconic vehicles side by side reveals numerous stark differences, too many to list exhaustively. Comparing a vintage 1970 Plymouth to a modern NASCAR racer is like contrasting the Wright brothers’ first flight with a contemporary spacecraft—an analogy that aptly encapsulates the vast technological leaps NASCAR has made. Today, these cars boast capabilities that soar beyond anything imaginable in decades past. Not only do they perform exponentially better, but they’re also exponentially safer, with fatalities and serious injuries behind the wheel now a rarity.
However, amidst these advancements, one notable observation emerges: despite the technological progress, NASCAR cars have, in some respects, slowed down over the years, especially at tracks like Daytona, and this slowdown is deliberate. The introduction of restrictor plates, designed to cap top speeds and encourage pack racing for heightened entertainment, has played a significant role in shaping the pace of these machines.
Surprisingly, when these two cars are pitted against each other on Daytona’s daunting super speedway oval—whether the track is in its traditional or updated configuration—the Superbird emerges as the faster competitor. It’s a fascinating quirk that seems to apply mainly to mammoth tracks like Daytona’s 2.5-mile oval.
Indeed, videos such as the simulation below from THE WIND TUNNEL provoke contemplation on the sport’s journey and may prompt some to ponder the importance of occasionally revisiting and appreciating its rich history.
