LOS ANGELES, CA – FEBRUARY 05: Brad Keselowski (#6 Roush Fenway Keselowski Racing Violet Defense Ford) answers questions for a media press conference during the Busch Light Clash at The Coliseum NASCAR Cup Series race on February 05, 2022, at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, CA. (Photo by Chris Williams/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
NASCAR is slowly making several changes that can accommodate a new manufacturer, who is rumored to join them soon. To allow a new OEM to join the NASCAR ship, they will need to have parity in terms of resources and power, and this is exactly what the officials are trying to do.
Martin Truex Jr’s race car will have an axel torque sensor for the race at Richmond. It’s the first-ever test on the Next Gen car and has attracted a lot of attention ahead of the race. Brad Keselowski was asked about his opinion on the engine test by Bob Pockrass, to which he said that such a move could allow other OEMs to join the sport soon, along with other merits.
Is NASCAR working behind the scenes with Honda?
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Honda’s arrival in NASCAR is now beginning to sound like more than just a rumor. While there has been no official word regarding the talks of a fourth OEM joining the sport, NASCAR’s actions in testing and planning suggest otherwise. Owing to these surprise tests, Keselowski feels that the data obtained by them will open the doors for other OEMs to join the sport, along with other important aspects of tuning the race car engine.
“I understand the initiative and why it’s being attempted for cost-cutting measures, which eventually could lead to more OEM entries. Which potentially could lead to a larger investment in the sport that grows the sport for all its fans,” Keselowski said to Bob Pockrass.
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He went on to add, “I think primarily you can use that data to even out the power levels of the car across the manufacturers and a lot of different engine architectures to be used in the sport, which is a big deal, and then potentially to cut some development costs and, to a point, add some mileage.”
This development is well within the predicted timeline of what John Probst had initially stated for a new OEM to join in. Going by the current state of affairs, Honda could very well be in the works to make their arrival.
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Honda could potentially enter NASCAR as early as 2026
For a new manufacturer to join the premier stock car racing series, they have to undergo numerous tests and a lengthy process. Probst, who is NASCAR’s chief racing development officer, laid down the timeline through which Honda can join as the fourth OEM.
“A timeline for a new OEM coming into our sport is somewhere in the 18–24 month period. When we work with our existing partners, it is important for us to make sure the new partner coming in would be a complement… We are within a few months of us getting to the point where you almost start running out of time to go through the steps that we have today. If all stars align, it is possible you could do it quicker than 18 months,” Probst said via Sportsnaut.
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As far as starting the procedure and testing are concerned, NASCAR seems to have started with its preparations. It will be interesting to see their next course of action, which can drop even bigger hints about Honda inching closer to joining NASCAR.