32 replies to this topic

[NJ Racer]

Please help me understand why there is no minimum roof height rule from the block up for all the Chargers?

[Jay Guard]

Ray:

 

We felt that the new spoiler height rules were sufficient to control the overall body height, plus measuring the spoiler is easier than the measuring the roof.

[Paul5097]

Effective September 1, 2026, the following Stock Car body rule updates will be in effect:

• Body thickness: Bodies should be pulled from no thinner than .010" poly-carbonate material. Finished product minimal thickness must be minimum .007" on the sides and .008" on the hood. No adding of tape in the door or hood area to make thickness. Body reinforcement may be added in other areas.
• Rear height:  1.125"-1.375"on all Charger bodies. Daytona 1.0"-1.250."
• Wheel wells:  Rear's may be trimmed out to allow for tire clearance. Fronts must follow the trim line.
• Rear bumper height:  min. .750" measured from top of the spoiler down.
• Eliminate weighing of body.

The goal of the rule changes is to make tech easier, ensure racers can obtain properly pulled bodies in good faith from the raceway counter without going through 'special channels,' and improve racing. While the new body specs have found the bodies to be approximately they also handle better.  

 

Additionally we believe any bodies that are pulled from thinner material and 'fluffed' to make thickness will be self-policing in that they run a greater risk on not being able to finish the race. If a manufacture is found to be purposely pulling bodies outside of the specs listed, all of the manufactures bodies will be eliminated from the approved body list. 

 

(Posted by Dom Luongo)

 

The statement "the goal is to make tech easier" doesn't make any sense. You still have hood and door thickness to measure, plus two additional measurements for spoiler height and bumper height.

 

As far as excessive rake, I have teched hundreds, if not thousands, of Retro Stock Cars and have only seen a handful that needed to be remounted due to excessive rake. If the body is cut on the cut line and mounted with the cut even with the bottom of the chassis, there can't be any excessive rake.

 

From my viewpoint, you are attempting to solve a problem that doesn't exist

[Dominator]

HI Paul,

 

Not everyone cut and mounts the body on the cut line. While not a pandemic level problem, the question gets asked at times what is excessive rake. We simply put a measurement to the rear height that most already mount their bodies to.  

 

As for making tech easier, by not measuring the roofs it eliminates having to remove and re-install the interior.  Just one less thing the racer has to deal with. While this move will not save hours on the day we felt it saves a step.

[JerseyJohn]

I am amazed at all activity that is taking place about Stock Car bodies. I've been racing retro for 20 years and I never recall a body getting this much concern. Can someone please explain to me what is the problem with these bodies that's causing all of this hullabaloo. 

 

Best regards,

 

John

[Hot Slots]

Hamburger Hands Crushing Race Bodies or something like that JJ.

I just wanna go fast.

[Cap Henry]

Hey John; from what I've been told the issue is guys running .010" bodies and painting them up to the minimum specs, including spraying clear on the inside over the windows, and putting lead tape on the bodies to get them to weight.

[Danny Zona]

About a half gram added to both sides.