NASCAR has already started to draw up a Gen-8 car

Steve O'Donnell has made some huge revelation about the future of the sport with new car and projects for drivers.

NASCAR has already started to draw up a Gen-8 car

2024 Daytona 500 (Via NASCAR.com)

The Next-Gen car a.k.a the Gen-7 Cup series car was introduced in the 2022 season with the hopes making racing more competitive and affordable for the team. So far, the sanctioning body has been successful in making it reality, with the races becoming closer than ever and the it being more entertaining.

Despite the success of the current generation of the cars, NASCAR COO Steve O’Donnell has confirmed that they are already designing the Gen-8 cars. With a lot of changes that required for the better future of the sport, including enabling the use of environmentally friendly fuel and other aspects of racing.

NASCAR COO Steve O’Donnell on whether the sanctioning body is already starting to draw up a next-generation Gen-8 car: “We’re working on everything.”

Adam Stern of SBJ reported via X.

The R&D of NASCAR would also be looking into the electric car racing scene, and the latest developments around it, with potentially even having an electric car series. They are reportedly also looking into using hydrogen as fuel in the future.

Steve O’Donnell announces a driver-centric marketing program

In the same conversation, O’Donnell revealed that NASCAR has decided start a driver-centric marketing program for the 2025 season that is going to reward racers involved financially. The have pledged around $10M-$20M pool money for the project.

GEICO 500 NASCAR Cup Series
GEICO 500 NASCAR Cup Series (Via IMAGO)

The project will not only focus on the top division drivers, but also the Xfinity series drivers. Equally rewarding them based on the amount of effort they take to make it a success, with the goals of making the sport better.

You’re going to see a lot more focus on our individual drivers, and that doesn’t mean just Cup.

Steve O’Donnell said.

The COO also pointed out that the program would give the fans an opportunity to have sneak peek into the life of their favorite drivers. It would be interesting to see how the program would playout in the upcoming season.