NASCAR cars are ordinary passenger cars at first sight and that is what makes them interesting. Its outward look gives a feeling of familiarity yet at the bottom, there is a totally different machine. NASCAR machines are race cars that were built to have the capacity to endure extreme speed, high physical pressure, and mechanical stress over time. There is a lot to learn about the construction of these cars the kind of technical expertise that underlies each lap of the race.

A NASCAR car is based on the chassis. The chassis is made of high strength steel tubing and it creates a skeleton on which all other components are fixed on. Engineers make the chassis to spread stress on the whole frame instead of having it in a particular area. This dispersion will avoid disastrous structural collapses and enhance long race longevity.

The roll cage is built in the chassis and it encloses the driver compartment. The roll cage is the main safety measure in the event of crashing. It eliminates the risk of the cockpit collapsing, as well as mounting places to the safety equipment. The designs of the roll cage have been developed, over decades, on the basis of accident facts on the road. The purpose of every redesign is to create a better energy capture and lower the risk of driver injuries.

The placement of the engine is done to ensure optimality of weight. Balance that affects handling is determined by the location of the engine. Engineers aim to achieve a center of gravity enabling the car to be stable in the corners as well as the traction in case of acceleration. Minor alterations in the positioning of components could alter the behavior of a car when subjected to load.

NASCAR engines have been designed to operate at a constant high rate as opposed to a sharp burst of peak power. In contrast to the drag racing engines, which work during several seconds, NASCAR engines have to work during several hours with high rates. Horsepower is as good as reliability. One way that ensures performance without necessarily compromising on wear is through the selection of materials and tolerances by engineers.

Engines cannot survive without cooling systems. Temperature control is facilitated through radiators, ducts and airflow channels. There should be an efficient movement of air to the front of the car and the elimination without unnecessary drag. The overheating might result into the loss of power or mechanical breakdown. To eliminate such damage, teams constantly check the temperature indicators of the races.

Almost all the vehicle behavior is influenced by aerodynamics. The shape of body panels is shaped to direct air flow round the car. Downforce acts towards the surface of the track and the tire grip is enhanced in a corner. Drag inhibits movement and restricts the highest speed. The engineers strive to reach an optimum between these conflicting forces.

The car is attached to the track via the suspension systems. These are springs, shocks and control arms, as well as linkages that regulate the distribution of weight during braking, acceleration and cornering. It is through suspension tuning that the car is responsive to the input applied by the steering wheel and balancing how the tire loads are allocated.

One of the most significant features of the car is tires. They are the sole point of connection between machine and asphalt. Selection of tire compounds is based on the selection of grip, durability and heat tolerance. As tires wear, grip decreases. This degradation is one of the key strategic aspects to manage.

The realization that NASCAR cars are engineered, and not merely driven, makes it clear that the racing is about more than just driving a car at an extremely high speed.The car is the result of human purpose.The car is both machine and partner in accomplishment.