The new 2011 Sprint Cup Series season will see both Dodge Chargers and Ford Mustangs with new front ends. Both Dodge Motorsports Engineering and Penske Racing collaborated on the new design, which satisfies the OEM’s need for improved brand identity, while not affecting the car’s aerodynamics in any significant way.
A similar process was used in conj8unction with Roush-Fenway Racing to remodel the Mustang’s nose for the 2011 season. No changes were made by Chevrolet or Toyota for the new season.
“With the introduction of the all-new 2011 Dodge Charger for the street, we worked closely with Penske Racing to develop the Dodge brand identity while maintaining neutral aerodynamics within the NASCAR rules,” said Dave Bailey, Senior Manager of Dodge Motorsports Engineering.
“Coupled with NASCAR’s new common lower nose for 2011, the revised front end carries the image and character of the Charger forward in true Dodge performance fashion,” added Bailey.
In addition to the new front ends for Chrysler and Ford, a new front splitter that will go on all Sprint Cup Series cars was also approved by NASCAR Engineering. The changes will take effect for the 2011 racing season, which begins with the Daytona 500 on February 20 in Daytona Beach, FL.