Power steering is certainly one of the most intriguing aspects of Nascar technology.
But it is also one of those automobile innovations that was invented fairly early but took a long time to catch on around the world.
The key reason for the slow adoption was that early power steering systems lacked the force feedback that drivers later acquired when other technologies helped fill that gap.
Since 1981, NASCAR Stock Cars have used power steering systems. The decision was influenced by the closeness and duration of races, as well as increased speeds, and when power steering became “standard” in road cars, it became more acceptable to have it in NASCAR race cars as well.
In this article, you’ll find out all you need to know about power steering and Nascar cars. Shall we?
Do Nascar Cars Have Power Steering?
In a nutshell, sure. For many years, power steering has been a standard equipment on all NASCAR vehicles.
We’ll go into the key reasons for it further down, but in general, the choice to install power steering was influenced by the requirement for increased safety.
Initially, there was strong opposition to installing power steering, but it was judged in 1981 that it would be a net-positive development for the sport. In the following part, we’ll go over the specifics of that decision.
The first NASCAR driver to use power steering was none other than the man himself, Dale Earnhardt, who obtained the necessary parts through his own Chevrolet dealership.
To begin with, NASCAR vehicles are large, heavy, and powerful machines that are difficult to operate in the manner required for victory.
That’s something we can all agree on, right? That being said, isn’t it better — in addition to being an issue of safety (see below for more) — for the cars to have power steering, which helps make navigating these V8 RWD automobiles a little more bearable?
Let’s be honest: even with power steering, NASCAR isn’t exactly a “easy” motorsport. Power steering would be a step too far if it removed a considerable percentage of the difficulty.
However, because it only makes it marginally simpler without removing other tough features that people enjoy, it was determined that it would be a positive addition.
What Exactly is Power Steering?
In layman’s terms, power steering reduces the amount of force needed to turn a car’s steering wheel. The steering wheel would be heavy and difficult to turn if power steering didn’t provide electric or hydraulic assistance.
If your vehicle’s power steering has ever failed, you know that cornering, parking, and steering your vehicle – especially at low speeds – become a real workout for your upper body.
There are 3 types of power steering systems on today’s vehicles: electric, hydraulic and hybrid hydroelectric.
An all-electric power steering (EPS) system assists the driver with the help of an electric motor attached to the rack or steering column.
Sensors attached to the motor measure the torque or turning force exerted by the driver on the steering wheel. Using this information, the sensors determine how much assistance the driver needs to steer the front wheels.
The most important factor in determining how much assistance the EPS provides is speed.
At low speeds, such as when parking, you may find that the steering wheel turns incredibly easily, making it easier to navigate. Greater steering wheel resistance provides more stability at higher speeds.
Hydraulic systems, on the other hand, use hydraulic fluid run by a power steering pump to help the driver turn the steering wheel.
The power steering pump is run by the serpentine belt or other drive belt attached to the engine, while an EPS system is powered by the vehicle’s 12-volt (or higher) electrical system.
The power steering pump applies hydraulic pressure to the steering gear or pinion that the driver must move to turn the wheels.
Difference Between NASCAR Power Steering and Standard
Power steering has been around for nearly a century, with the earliest patent being obtained in 1876.
However, it was not widely employed in automobiles until the 1950s, and it is now standard equipment in practically all vehicles.
Power steering is vital in NASCAR technology for both safety and performance reasons, allowing drivers to keep control of their vehicles at high speeds and in tight corners.
There are some important distinctions between NASCAR power steering and standard power steering.
These are a few examples:
The magnitude of assistance – NASCAR power steering is more responsive than standard steering, which is required for the high speeds and tight corners that NASCAR cars must navigate.
The system can also handle high lateral forces.
It has the ability to modify the level of assistance. As each track has its own demands and each driver is different, drivers may adjust the power steering strength as they like.
What you should also know is that Nascar wants to ensure that the cars are still challenging to drive, even with power steering. So, the power steering is limited to a certain degree, keeping the cars from being too easy to handle.
Regular power steering is smaller than Nascar one, as Nascar cars generate a lot more heat and vibration.
Also, Nascar power steering systems are built with higher-quality components designed to endure all kinds of racetracks.
We know that the less weight the car has, the faster it can go, right?
Because of that, their power steering systems are actually lightweight, even though they’re larger.
However, this presents a challenge; because the power steering system must be strong enough to handle the high speeds and G-forces of the racetrack and also light enough not to compromise the car’s performance.
A Lot of Advantages and Just a Few Disadvantages
The main advantage of Nascar power steering is the improved handling and control it provides. Power steering allows drivers to turn quickly and accurately, even at high speeds.
This is important for maintaining control of the car and making tight turns. The power steering also makes it easier for drivers to make quick corrections in an emergency; for example – to avoid an accident.
The power steering also allows Nascar drivers to put more power to the track; with power steering, drivers can apply more force to the gas pedal without worrying about the car slipping away from them. This means they can go faster and make more aggressive moves on the track.
Allows NASCAR races to be longer – Even as drivers race around the deceptively simple oval racetracks, it’s clear for everyone to see that they must constantly adjust their steering to maintain control. Without power steering, that’s even more difficult, and it’s even harder to justify that physical effort over 500 or more miles!
Power steering makes it practical and feasible for drivers to persevere through these types of races, keep them exciting (see below), and make for really fun and dynamic motorsports over the 500 and 600 mile races of the season.
One of the reasons the millions of NASCAR fans are so excited about the sport is the wheel-to-wheel racing they see at every event.
They can’t get enough of that excitement, and power steering helps make that even more likely. Knowing that they’re equipped with the comfort of power steering, drivers can maneuver better and more precisely and avoid accidents.
If they didn’t have this tool, drivers might not be as willing to drive “wheel to wheel” as they otherwise would. In this sense, power steering doesn’t make driving more boring or less exciting, but has just the opposite effect. Drivers who feel safer and more in control are more willing to take risks and engage in more daring driving.
However, there are also some drawbacks.
One of the biggest challenges is the added weight of the power steering. This can slow the cars down and make them less maneuverable. Also, power steering can be expensive to repair or replace if it fails.
As I mentioned before, another potential drawback is that power steering makes the cars too easy to drive. This can take away from the skill and challenge of driving a Nascar car.
