The Busch Series will be going to a NASCAR-approved chassis, at least a brother if not a twin to the current “car of tomorrow” in the future, likely as early as 2009. Busch Series Director Joe Balash said Saturday that there are too many factors undecided on what or when the series will make the change. NASCAR has floated the idea of using pony car bodies – Mustangs, Camaros, etc. – with the manufacturers. Among the other things that could change is the wheelbase to be consistent with Cup at 110 inches (from 105 in the Busch Series). Teams have been going to the NASCAR Research and Development Center looking at proposed chassis. Busch Series teams are bracing for the change to occur for the start of the 2009 season. Mike Dillon, Richard Childress Racing’s Vice President of Competition, predicted the car would have a smaller splitter to go with the new body and also will have a spoiler instead of a wing. Balash said the hope would be that the teams will have fewer cars. Teams are estimating being able to go from about 12-15 cars to about five to eight cars. There will be no body changes for the Busch Series next season, but the series will go to the smaller fuel cell. The series was still using the 22-gallon fuel cell and will go to the current Cup cell that holds 17-18 gallons. The engine rules will change slightly, which Balash estimates will lower RPM by about 500 RPM, down to about 8000 RPM. Certain components will have different weight requirements with the idea that, combined with the lower RPM using a different gear rule, they will last longer.(SceneDaily.com)(9-29-2007)
