How fast can a Nextel (Winston) cup car run the standing 1/4 mile

JoLLyRoGer

Diamond Member
Aug 24, 2000
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It seems like I had heard that a NASCAR can run the standing 1/4 in sub 8 seconds... Can anyone verify this and possibly provide a link?

I'm having a debate with a guy at work..
 

KLin

Lifer
Feb 29, 2000
29,702
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2.3456435345345 seconds.

EDIT: actually, I don't think the gearing is setup to get a fast 1/4 mile time in stock cars.
 

LordMorpheus

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Aug 14, 2002
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I seriously doubt 8 seconds. Don't those cars weigh like 3500 lbs? And they aren't geared for quick accelleration, they are setup to do 180mph all day long.

I'd guess above 10 seconds.
 

boyRacer

Lifer
Oct 1, 2001
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Google shows June 2000 R&T set one up for the 1/4. ~9 seconds @ ~160mph while C&D tested one without fiddling with it and ran a 13.8 supposedly.
 

EyeMWing

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Jun 13, 2003
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Originally posted by: bR
Google shows June 2000 R&T set one up for the 1/4. ~9 seconds @ ~160mph while C&D tested one without fiddling with it and ran a 13.8 supposedly.

My Focus could beat that...
But yeah, there's a reason ALL starts in NASCAR are done from a roll.
 

trmiv

Lifer
Oct 10, 1999
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They weigh 3400 pounds without the driver, and put out around 750hp without a restrictor plate. If they are setup with the right gearing they'd be in the mid to low 9's I would estimate, maybe 140-150 mph. They aren't gear to run a 1/4 from a standing start though. With the way they are geared for the bigger non-restrictor plate tracks, they would be rather slow on a 1/4 mile, but a bit faster with gearing for the short tracks like Martinsville.
 

Baked

Lifer
Dec 28, 2004
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They are not setup for drag racing, but sustained high speed. Notice they need push start after pit stop.
 

Pacfanweb

Lifer
Jan 2, 2000
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Depends on which track they are set up for.

A Talladega setup wouldn't be that quick.

A Bristol setup would.

I don't think that in any circumstance they would run in the 9's. 800hp at 3500 lbs will get you about a 10.0 flat. And that is with an optimum drag racing setup. So a Cup car with Cup slicks and Cup suspension will probably run in the 10's, but that's it.
 

Zenmervolt

Elite member
Oct 22, 2000
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Originally posted by: EyeMWing
But yeah, there's a reason ALL starts in NASCAR are done from a roll.
Regardless of set-up, a car is faster from a standing start than on a roll. How much faster depends on the car, but it's always faster to run the 1/4 from a standing start.

Starts are done fro a roll because they are safer that way.

ZV
 

Kadarin

Lifer
Nov 23, 2001
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Originally posted by: EyeMWing
Originally posted by: bR
Google shows June 2000 R&T set one up for the 1/4. ~9 seconds @ ~160mph while C&D tested one without fiddling with it and ran a 13.8 supposedly.

My Focus could beat that...
But yeah, there's a reason ALL starts in NASCAR are done from a roll.

I highly doubt your Focus could come within 3 seconds of that...
 

jagec

Lifer
Apr 30, 2004
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Originally posted by: Zenmervolt
Originally posted by: EyeMWing
But yeah, there's a reason ALL starts in NASCAR are done from a roll.
Regardless of set-up, a car is faster from a standing start than on a roll. How much faster depends on the car, but it's always faster to run the 1/4 from a standing start.

Starts are done fro a roll because they are safer that way.

ZV

Depends on how fast of a "roll" we're talking about. 10mph, yeah, dumping the clutch will get you a better start than just tromping on the gas, since you'll be at really low RPMs. If you're rolling fast enough to be a bit nearer the redline...that will be faster than starting from a standstill.
 

Nebor

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Jun 24, 2003
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Originally posted by: Astaroth33
Originally posted by: EyeMWing
Originally posted by: bR
Google shows June 2000 R&T set one up for the 1/4. ~9 seconds @ ~160mph while C&D tested one without fiddling with it and ran a 13.8 supposedly.

My Focus could beat that...
But yeah, there's a reason ALL starts in NASCAR are done from a roll.

I highly doubt your Focus could come within 3 seconds of that...

Agreed. I'm pretty sure even the SVT focus ran in the high 14s.
 

JoLLyRoGer

Diamond Member
Aug 24, 2000
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Originally posted by: bR
Google shows June 2000 R&T set one up for the 1/4. ~9 seconds @ ~160mph while C&D tested one without fiddling with it and ran a 13.8 supposedly.

Can you provide links to that? I'd be interested in reading up on it.
Thanx,
JR..
 

BDawg

Lifer
Oct 31, 2000
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Originally posted by: EyeMWing
Originally posted by: bR
Google shows June 2000 R&T set one up for the 1/4. ~9 seconds @ ~160mph while C&D tested one without fiddling with it and ran a 13.8 supposedly.

My Focus could beat that...
But yeah, there's a reason ALL starts in NASCAR are done from a roll.

Let's see your Focus run at 180mph for 3 hours straight.
 

mercanucaribe

Banned
Oct 20, 2004
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Originally posted by: LordMorpheus
I seriously doubt 8 seconds. Don't those cars weigh like 3500 lbs? And they aren't geared for quick accelleration, they are setup to do 180mph all day long.

I'd guess above 10 seconds.

I can't think of a single reason why a car can't have gears for low end acceleration and also top speed. Ever heard of a gearbox?
 

Kalvin00

Lifer
Jan 11, 2003
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Originally posted by: mercanucaribe
Originally posted by: LordMorpheus
I seriously doubt 8 seconds. Don't those cars weigh like 3500 lbs? And they aren't geared for quick accelleration, they are setup to do 180mph all day long.

I'd guess above 10 seconds.

I can't think of a single reason why a car can't have gears for low end acceleration and also top speed. Ever heard of a gearbox?

They only have 4 gears bro.
 

JoLLyRoGer

Diamond Member
Aug 24, 2000
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Originally posted by: mercanucaribe
Originally posted by: LordMorpheus
I seriously doubt 8 seconds. Don't those cars weigh like 3500 lbs? And they aren't geared for quick accelleration, they are setup to do 180mph all day long.

I'd guess above 10 seconds.

I can't think of a single reason why a car can't have gears for low end acceleration and also top speed. Ever heard of a gearbox?

Ok, so say you dial the car in to run a blistering 0-100' time and an overall trap speed of around 150 (maybe less). Because it's not how fast you go, but instead how quick you get there.

Also these cars may only make around 725-750hp, but the engines can also twist around 10,000 RPM which means they can take advantage of some really short gears.

750HP @ 10000 rpm seems like it would have more usable power then say a 1000HP @ 5500 RPM because of its wider powerband.

Discuss..