How much does a NASCAR engine cost? Exploring the price tag behind racing power

The cost of a NASCAR engine can range from $60,000 to $150,000 and there could also be additional costs.

Often times it is seen that NASCAR team owners, particularly of teams residing in midfield and the bottom tiers of the standings, loathe any crashes and damages to their vehicles. This sentiment becomes particularly understandable when considering the price invested behind the makings of a NASCAR vehicle.

In this article, we delve into the details of the financial investments behind a NASCAR vehicle. From tires to chassis and numerous other components, the total cost behind a race car could rise up to staggering amounts, revealing the technical and financial efforts put behind assembling cars that set the race tracks alight for fans.

One of the most crucial components of a race car is its engine, but just how much does it cost to power these racing machines?

A race car comes with built-up prices ranging from $200,000 to $400,000 (according to Sports Brief) However, the cost of the engine itself forms a significant portion of this total. A single engine can command a price tag between $60,000 to $150,000. This cost can further escalate with additional upgrades, adding approximately $40,000 to the bill.

NASCAR's stringent regulations dictate that engines cannot exceed 358 cubic inches (5,867 cubic cm) in size. While this limitation ensures a level playing field, it also restricts the horsepower that these engines can produce. In fact, these limitations were a contributing factor to the discontinuation of race cars manufactured by Dodge.

Tires are another crucial expense in the world of motorsports. Each tire can cost between $350 and $450, amounting to approximately $2,000 for a set of four. Teams often lease tires from Goodyear, the official supplier of NASCAR, to manage costs.

Such costs make team owners fork out upwards of $350,000 to field a charter in the Cup Series. NASCAR driver and 23XI Racing team-owner Denny Hamlin once shed light on the excruciating costs of a NASCAR Cup Series NextGen vehicle. He stated on an episode of his Actions Detrimental podcast:

"The Next Gen cars probably, all in, with the parts, pieces, all the other stuff you have to purchase to actually make it roll and a driver sit in it, we’re probably around $350,000. We’re racing Lambos out there."

---

How much do internal components of a NASCAR vehicle cost?

Beyond engines and tires, teams must allocate funds for essential parts and components such as brakes, rotors, and chassis. Brakes and rotors alone can cost between $20,000 to $40,000, while a new base stock car or chassis for customization and upgrades may set teams back anywhere from $70,000 to $120,000 (according to aforementioned source).

Interestingly, NASCAR cars forego certain features found in conventional vehicles to save costs. Components like speedometers, gas gauges, brake lights, headlights, and doors are not utilized in these race cars, contributing to cost-saving measures.

Despite these measures, racing is not without its risks. Any damage to major components such as suspension parts, driveshafts, cooling systems, bearings, axles, or gears can result in significant financial setbacks, with repair costs ranging from $30,000 to $50,000.

Moreover, the intense nature of racing means that accidents are not uncommon. Even the slightest contact with other race cars or the sidelines can lead to severe damage, potentially disrupting internal systems. Teams' sentiments while coping with crashes and damages were perfectly summed up by Denny Hamlin. The Joe Gibbs Racing driver had stated in the same episode of his podcast:

"I hate to say this, but at the end of the race, I saw a big crash at the start-finish-line, and I rolled back around and I was like, ‘God, please don’t let it be any of my cars.’ Because I’m like, it’s such a big cost. Every wreck is."

As a result, teams often opt for insurance coverage to mitigate the financial impact of such occurrences, as the replacement cost of a single vehicle alone can soar up to $400,000.