Chevrolet and Chevrolet Racing introduce the new NASCAR NextGen Cup car for Team Chevrolet teams for the 2026 season and beyond. The vehicle is not the Frankencar many have rumored over the last month or so, but instead an evolution of the current Cup car.
The car is based on the late Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 Carbon Performance Package. A performance accessory package that was released to current ZL1 owners. Some of the visual differences include more pronounced rocker panels, a larger power dome on the hood, and a revised grill. The ZL1 Camaro Cup car was initially introduced to the high banks at Daytona in 2018.
Obviously, this isn’t an all-new race car, and social media has not disappointed. Fans’ reactions to the updated car have been exactly as expected. “So did Chevy just drop a random performance package for its discontinued Camaros to avoid having to design an entirely new car lmao.” “So they’ve replaced the Camaro with a Camaro? Bold move.” “Am I insane or is this just….the same?”
The car was put together in collaboration with NASCAR and the Team Chevrolet teams, and will power Chevrolet in its search for its sixth straight NASCAR Cup Series Manufacturers Championship.
The production car’s new Carbon Performance Package, seen below, boosts downforce 361% at 155mph with enhanced airflow.
All Images via Chevrolet
We need a new Camaro for street customers.
Once there was a rule that a car entered into cup competition had to have a stock counterpart available to the public. I know there is also something like a 3 year window where that is “negotiable.” Is that rule gone now? I’ve read somewhere that by Chevy doing this, they’re changing the way NASCAR and other manufacturers will be able to compete now. Any further insight on these topics?