Sprint Car Specifications

With engines producing upwards of 800 horsepower, these 1200 pound rocket ships combine the thrill of raw power with the heart stopping action of non-wing sprint car racing. Dirt rooster tails, wheel stands and three wide racing are the norm when these bad boys come to town. Sprint cars also run on paved tracks and any driver with aspirations of a championship must be able to negotiate both dirt and pavement.
"I think the most challenging racing for a driver is Sprint Car racing on short dirt tracks. When you get a powerful sprinter on a short dirt course you've really got your hands full".
-- Two-time USAC National Sprint CarChampion, Parnelli Jones

"Sprint Car racing is one of the most exciting forms of racing to watch in the world"
.-- Three-time Indianapolis 500 Champion Johnny Rutherford

Sprint cars are powered by 410 cu. in. V-8 engines with aluminum blocks and cylinder heads specially prepared for racing. USAC Western States sprint cars have a maximum of 360 cu. in. These engines use fuel injection and methanol for fuel. Sprint car races are normally held on 5/8 mile and smaller tracks; however, they sometimes make appearances at the 1-mile ovals. Some of the highlights on the USAC Sprint Car schedule are the "Little 500" at Anderson Speedway, the "Tony Hulman Classic" at Terre Haute, "USAC's Indiana Sprint Week", and the "4 Crown Nationals" at Eldora Speedway in Ohio.

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USAC Sprint Car Facts
 
Weight
  1400 pounds minimum, without driver (on pavement only)
Chassis
  Tubular 4130 aircraft steel; minimum 1 1/2 inch O.D. and .095 wall thickness
Horsepower
  760 to 800
Engine
  Normally aspirated, internal combustion, four cycle, piston type V-8's. 410 cu. in.
Fuel
  Methanol
Capacities
  Fuel, 28 gallons minimum Oil, 11 quarts avg.
Speed
  Fastest official recorded lap average is 144.167 mph set by David Steele at Phoenix International Raceway, January 18, 1998.
Wheelbase
  84 inches min., 90 inches max.
Overall Width
  78 inches maximum
Overall Length
  14 feet maximum
Overall Height
  61 inches avg. to top of roll cage
Suspension
  Solid front and rear axels with torsion bar or coil spring suspension
Wheels
  Aluminum, 15 inches in diameter. Right rear 18 inches wide, left rear 14 inches wide. Front wheels 10 ins. wide.
Tires
  Bias-Ply racing tires
Brakes
  3 or 4 wheel discs
Driveline
  Direct drive without clutch or transmission. Quick change gears are behind the rear assembly.

A typical sprint car costs between $50,000 and $60,000 and most teams have a separate car for pavement and dirt tracks.

Previous champions of the USAC National Sprint Car Series are Ken Schrader, Tony Stewart, Rich Vogler, Johnny Rutherford and Parnelli Jones