Finite Element Analysis of a NASCAR Winston Cup Stock Car

This paper presents an investigation into the torsional stiffness of a NASCAR Winston Cup stock car chassis using finite element analysis.

A measurement of torsional stiffness was made on a representative chassis, which also provided the dimensions for constructing a finite element model. The experimental measurement was used to verify the finite element model, which was then used to evaluate the effect of various design changes on torsional stiffness.

Tables and charts are presented which describe chassis flexibility for each design change which was analyzed.