Regan Brown
NASCAR cars use a lot of fuel, with fuel mileage being a critical part of any NASCAR race. The exact amount of fuel used depends on several factors, including the size of the track, the length of the race, the driving style, and the racing surface. NASCAR cars can use over 100 gallons of fuel per race, with each fuel tank holding around 18 gallons. NASCAR teams must carefully calculate their fuel usage, taking into account various variables, to ensure they have enough fuel to finish the race without adding too much weight to the car.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of fuel | Sunoco Green E-15 |
| Blend | 15% ethanol and unleaded gasoline |
| Octane rating | 98 |
| Fuel tank capacity | 18.5 gallons |
| Refueling cans capacity | 12 gallons |
| Average fuel usage per car per race | 70-125 gallons |
| Total fuel usage per race | 2,520 gallons (36 cars) to 5,375 gallons (43 cars) |
| Factors influencing fuel usage | Track size, event length, fuel density, driving style, racing surface, tire wear, caution flags, drafting, temperature |
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What You'll Learn
NASCAR cars use over 100 gallons of fuel per race
NASCAR cars have fuel tanks that hold 18 gallons of fuel. However, teams will often opt to fill the tanks only partially, as a heavier car will be slower. This strategy means that drivers have to make multiple pit stops during a race to refuel. The number of pit stops and the amount of fuel added during each stop can vary significantly, from a 'splash-and-dash' top-up to a more substantial refill.
The fuel used in NASCAR races is called Sunoco Green E-15, a blend of 15% ethanol and unleaded gasoline with an octane rating of 98. This fuel is customised specifically for NASCAR and is not suitable for use in standard passenger vehicles.
While fuel efficiency and sustainability are becoming increasingly important in motorsports, with series like Formula 1 implementing regulations to promote efficiency, NASCAR has yet to introduce strict measures. However, NASCAR is planning to adopt regenerative braking and hybrid technology in the future, which could lead to a reduction in fuel consumption.
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Fuel tank capacities range from 18 to 18.5 gallons
Fuel tank capacities in NASCAR stock cars vary slightly, ranging from 18 to 18.5 gallons. The fuel used is a high-octane blend made exclusively for NASCAR by Sunoco, called Green E-15. It is a blend of 15% ethanol and unleaded gasoline, with an octane rating of 98. This fuel is customised to fit the needs of NASCAR, and it is not suitable for use in regular passenger vehicles.
NASCAR teams have a lot of control over the amount of fuel they use, and there is no precise measure of total fuel usage per car in a race. This is because the fuel tank capacities are not always maximised, especially towards the end of a race, as a heavier car will be slower. Teams must calculate fuel usage based on various factors, including the size of the track, the length of the race, the racing surface, and driving style.
The fuel mileage, or fuel window, is a critical part of any NASCAR race, and saving fuel can be the difference between winning and losing. For example, in 2014, Dale Earnhardt Jr. was leading the field at Las Vegas Motor Speedway when his car began to slow due to low fuel. Brad Keselowski swept past to win the race, while Earnhardt coasted in second place.
The number of pit stops and the length of these stops also impact fuel usage. NASCAR pit crews use large red gas cans that hold 12 gallons of fuel, and during a pit stop, multiple cans may be needed to refuel a car.
While there is no exact measure of fuel usage per car per race, estimates do exist. For example, in 2015, 43 cars at the Daytona 500 used approximately 5,375 gallons of fuel combined. This would equate to each car using around 125 gallons of fuel for the race.
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NASCAR fuel is a 98-octane blend of 15% ethanol and unleaded gasoline
NASCAR fuel usage depends on several factors, including the size of the track, the length of the race, the driving style, and the racing surface. While there is no accurate measure of the total fuel usage of a car in a race, it is estimated that NASCAR cars use over 100 gallons of fuel per race or weekend.
The fuel's blend of ethanol and unleaded gasoline gives it a greenish hue, which is reflected in its name, Green E-15. This fuel is exclusive to NASCAR and is not suitable for use in standard passenger vehicles. The fuel tanks in NASCAR cars hold approximately 18 gallons of fuel, although they are not always filled to capacity as a lighter car can achieve higher speeds.
The use of Green E-15 fuel in NASCAR highlights the organisation's transition towards cleaner energy sources. While traditional motorsport culture values high fuel consumption as an indicator of performance, the adoption of ethanol-blended fuel represents a step towards sustainability and fuel efficiency.
NASCAR's exploration of regenerative braking and hybrid technology further demonstrates its commitment to innovation and environmental considerations. The incorporation of these advancements may lead to a reduction in fuel consumption over time, as seen in the example of the 2020 Mercedes engine in Formula 1, which achieved over 50% thermal efficiency.
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Fuel mileage depends on the track and the speeds cars are running
The fuel mileage of a NASCAR Cup Series car depends on various factors, including the track and the speeds at which the cars are running. The length of the race in terms of miles is a significant factor in fuel consumption. For example, a 500-lap race at Martinsville is considered long, but because it's on a short track, the cars cover about half the distance they would in the Daytona 500.
Shorter races on smaller tracks burn less fuel than longer races on bigger tracks. However, this assumes that the cars are running at full speed throughout the race, which is not always the case. Other factors, such as drafting, caution flags, and drivers saving fuel, also play a role in fuel mileage.
Drafting allows drivers to maintain speed without pushing the throttle to the floor. Telemetry data from superspeedways shows that drivers in the middle of the pack often use half-throttle because the draft keeps them in the pack. This reduced throttle results in lower RPMs and, consequently, less fuel consumption.
Caution flag conditions also impact fuel mileage. Under caution, cars run slower and burn less fuel. As a rule of thumb, two caution flag laps are equivalent to one green flag lap in terms of fuel consumption.
The position of the cars in the race also affects fuel mileage. Cars running in the middle or back of the pack use less fuel than those in the front, as the pack allows them to maintain speed with less throttle.
Additionally, the number of pit stops and the timing of refueling can influence fuel mileage. Cars that pit later in the race require less fuel and have shorter pit stops than those that stop earlier. This is because carrying more fuel increases the weight of the car, requiring more fuel to maintain speed.
While there is no exact measure of fuel usage per car in a race, NASCAR cars are known for their high fuel consumption. A NASCAR engine under full throttle uses significantly more fuel than a passenger car, but it also generates substantially more power.
Estimates and calculations provide some insight into NASCAR's fuel usage. For instance, during the 2015 Daytona 500, the 43 participating cars were estimated to have used a total of 5,375 gallons of fuel. This translates to an average of approximately 125 gallons per car.
NASCAR racecars are also estimated to get about 4.6 miles per gallon. Assuming all 43 cars in the Daytona 500 ran the full 600 miles at full speed, they would consume 5,609 gallons of gasoline. However, this is an overestimation, as NASCAR racecars get better mileage under caution conditions.
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Driving styles and racing surfaces also impact fuel mileage
Driving styles and racing surfaces also have an impact on fuel mileage in NASCAR races. For example, NASCAR races that take place at night tend to result in higher speeds due to cooler conditions, which causes engines to burn fuel at a faster rate. Driving styles that involve charging deeper into a turn before easing off the gas pedal can also use more fuel.
The racing surface also plays a role in fuel mileage. Abrasive surfaces cause more tire wear than smooth surfaces, which in turn affects fuel mileage. For instance, at racing tracks where there is a significant falloff in speed, fuel mileage during the race may be better than in practice. On the other hand, at racing tracks where there is not much falloff in speed, fuel mileage during the race may be similar to that of practice.
NASCAR teams calculate fuel mileage based on math, experience, and instinct. They also take into account the length of the race in terms of miles, the number of laps completed since the last fuel stop, and the amount of fuel replaced. The weight of the fuel dump cans is also considered, as a gallon of racing fuel weighs about 6 pounds, and the weight varies with temperature.
Additionally, driving habits can affect fuel efficiency. Rapid acceleration burns significantly more fuel than gradual increases in speed, as the engine works harder to meet sudden demands for power. Similarly, harsh braking wastes the energy the engine used to get the car moving. Driving at optimal speed ranges for fuel efficiency, often between 45 and 65 miles per hour, can help to maximize miles per gallon (MPG).
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Frequently asked questions
A NASCAR car can burn over 100 gallons of fuel per race, depending on the size of the track and the length of the event.
Three factors that play a major role in fuel mileage are drivers saving fuel, drafting, and caution flags. Driving styles and racing surfaces also play a role, impacting tire wear, which in turn affects fuel mileage.
NASCAR Cup Series cars used a combined 5,375 gallons of fuel for the 2015 Daytona 500. On average, each car would have used 125 gallons of fuel for the race.
NASCAR uses a high-octane blend made exclusively for them by Sunoco called Green E-15. It’s 15% ethanol and unleaded gasoline with an octane rating of 98.
NASCAR Cup Series cars are not equipped with fuel gauges, so teams determine fuel mileage based on math, experience, and instinct. Fuel mileage depends on the track and the speeds the cars are running.
