NASCAR and Hemi

The Hemi Engine's NASCAR Journey: From Powerful Advantage to Legal Contender

01-Jan-23

The Hemi engine, which is a type of V8 engine developed by Chrysler, was not banned by NASCAR. However, the Hemi engine was considered to be a powerful and advanced engine that gave teams using it a significant advantage on the track. As a result, NASCAR officials placed restrictions on the engine's use in order to level the playing field and ensure fair competition.

In the 1960s, NASCAR placed limits on the size of the engine that teams could use in their vehicles. The Hemi engine was larger than the engines that were allowed under these rules, and as a result, teams using the Hemi engine were at a disadvantage.

In order to address this issue, NASCAR officials created a new class of competition specifically for the Hemi engine, known as the "Super Stock" class. This class allowed teams to use the Hemi engine, but placed limits on the engine's size and power output in order to make it more competitive with other engines.

In the following years, NASCAR continued to evolve its rules and regulations, and the Hemi engine was eventually able to compete on an even footing with other engines. The Hemi engine became a popular choice for teams in NASCAR, known for its power and durability.

It's worth noting that the Hemi engine was not banned by NASCAR, but it was subject to rules and restrictions that were put in place to level the playing field and ensure fair competition. Today, the Hemi engines are still used in NASCAR and other motorsports and the engine's design has evolved to meet the current regulations, making it a powerful and legal option for teams to use.