Roger Penske Has Surprising Vision Of NASCAR Future
Long-time team owner and racing pioneer sees hybrids, hydrogen as more likely options than electric to power NASCAR's future.
NASCAR team owner Roger Penske sees hybrid as a bridging strategy to the future
Roger Penske, the owner of a championship team in NASCAR, believes that a hybrid is a more likely option than an electric vehicle to power the future of the sport. He sees hybrid technology as a bridging strategy as electrification has been slow to progress. Penske's own NTT IndyCar Series has already announced its plans to introduce hybrid technology in the 2024 season's second half.
Penske suggests that a hybrid car could have some electrical components in the drivetrain, along with a traditional engine. He believes that a sedan series could potentially run on hybrid vehicles. While the development of electric vehicles in NASCAR may not happen overnight, Penske sees the hybrid version as a viable option that could be very good for the sport.
Penske considers hydrogen as another potential option for NASCAR
In addition to hybrids, Penske also sees hydrogen as a potential option for NASCAR. He points to Toyota as a leader in hydrogen cars and mentions that a French team had a hydrogen car at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. While he acknowledges that it will be a long time before hydrogen is seen in competition, Penske sees potential for modified engines and hybrids that lean towards sustainability.
Denny Hamlin, a NASCAR Cup Series driver and team co-owner, agrees that sustainability in motorsports is a balancing act. He believes that it will take time to figure out the future of transportation in the world and that the OEMs (Original Equipment Manufacturers) play a significant role in determining the direction of the sport.
