The contrast between the races at Bristol and Watkins Glen is evident, but one key moment from The Glen deserves more attention. In spite of multiple crashes, including a serious collision between Brad Keselowski and William Byron, several damaged cars managed to finish the race. Keselowski’s No. 6 car, though heavily damaged, still completed the race in 26th place.
The real focus here should be on the resilience of the NextGen cars. Even with the intensity of the crash, Keselowski’s vehicle remained intact, highlighting the durability of the car’s new design. When images of the wrecked but still functional NextGen car emerged, fans were amazed at how well the car held up. It’s now clear that these NextGen cars are built to withstand significant damage.
Inside a NASCAR Cup Series car, drivers are protected by a roll cage designed to prevent the car from caving in during accidents. The collision between Keselowski and Byron was so severe that Keselowski’s roll cage ended up dented. Despite the impact, the roll cage maintained its structure, keeping Keselowski safe inside. This is exactly what NASCAR has been aiming for with the safety measures of the NextGen cars, and this crash at Watkins Glen served as a strong testament to that success.
During the crash, both Byron and Keselowski ended up in the wall. However, Byron’s car briefly went airborne, causing his right front tire to crash into Keselowski’s car. It was a frighteningly close call, but thankfully, both cars sustained only minor damage. Incredibly, both drivers reversed their vehicles out of the entanglement and continued racing as if nothing had happened.
NASCAR’s dedication to improving the NextGen cars gained momentum after Kyle Larson’s incident at Talladega. During a high-speed pack race, Larson’s car was sent up the banking, where it collided with Ryan Preece, resulting in significant damage to Larson’s safety cage. A piece of the roll cage tubing even came loose, raising serious concerns. Realizing that such failures were unacceptable, NASCAR has since worked hard to enhance the durability of the roll cages in these new cars.
The images of Keselowski’s damaged roll cage quickly made their way onto Reddit, where fans expressed their awe at how well the NextGen car had held up under such stress. On X (formerly Twitter), multiple images of the roll cage damage circulated, further fueling the admiration from fans. The general sentiment online was one of amazement at NASCAR’s continued advancements in safety technology.
One fan on Reddit echoed the sentiments of many, saying, “I was just about to post this myself. Glad someone else did because these pictures are pretty damn amazing. A 3,400-pound car hit the roll cage at a critical point, and it only left a small dent. Like the car or hate it, you can’t deny it’s safe.”
The fan community was impressed by the fact that despite the weight of the car and the high speeds involved in the crash, the roll cage only sustained a minor dent. Many fans have been critical of the NextGen cars, but this incident has convinced at least some that these cars are unquestionably safer.
Another fan marveled at the physics behind the car’s performance, commenting, “The physics of it is absolutely remarkable.” They went on to explain how factors like aerodynamics, downforce, independent rear suspension, and Newton’s laws of motion contributed to the car’s ability to withstand the crash.
The NextGen car’s design features, such as a stepped front splitter, hood vents, and rear diffusers, all contribute to reducing side force while increasing downforce, which helps keep the cars stable during high-speed racing. The rear diffusers, in particular, aid following cars by boosting their downforce, while the independent rear suspension provides better handling on different surfaces. Additionally, the combined transmission and rear gears set the stage for potential electrification in the future.
One fan gave credit directly to NASCAR, saying, “Big credit to NASCAR. I’d be curious to see how the roll cage on the Gen 6 cars would’ve reacted in comparison to the NextGen.” Another fan responded, agreeing that while the Gen 6 cars would likely have withstood the crash, they would have sustained more damage than the Gen 7 (NextGen) cars.
Fans were quick to recall the terrifying moment when Byron’s car nearly entered Keselowski’s driver-side window, with one commenting, “Terrifying scenario that crash was. Car hurdling right at the driver’s window… yikes.” Thankfully, no one was injured, proving once again that NASCAR’s efforts to improve safety with the NextGen cars are paying off.
Are you as impressed as these fans with the safety that the NextGen cars bring to NASCAR?
“Keselowski Crash Shocks Fans!”
