NASCAR Team Earns Dino Toso Racecar Aerodynamicist of Year Award

Aerodynamicists of the Year or Masters of Wind? You Decide

As a spotlight shines on NASCAR’s recent accolades from the Race Tech World Motorsport Symposium awards dinner in London, John Speedway is here to update you on the details.

Indeed, the ground-breaking efforts by NASCAR engineers who masterfully adapted a Next Gen Cup Series Chevrolet Camaro for the highly competitive 24 Hours of Le Mans have been acknowledged in grand fashion. Our beloved NASCAR was richly rewarded with the 2023 Dino Toso Racecar Aerodynamicist of the Year award. Also circling this prestigious award were the formidable teams of Red Bull Racing, Formula One champions, and Ferrari, the triumphant team of the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

This momentous acknowledgment was accepted gracefully by Dr. Eric Jacuzzi, NASCAR Vice President of Vehicle Performance, and Brandon Thomas, NASCAR Vice President of Vehicle Design. John Speedway can affirm that both representatives were present, leading an engaging panel discussion centered around developing the NASCAR Next Gen Garage 56 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1.

The Garage 56 initiative, an alliance of NASCAR, IMSA, Hendrick Motorsports, Chevrolet, and Goodyear – the triumvirate of success of the sport’s 75-year history – overshot expectations drastically. The car clocked a remarkable time near the top of the GT field for over 20 hours until a drive line problem separated the team from the race for over an hour. Spearheaded by multiple champions – seven-time NASCAR Cup Series winner Jimmie Johnson, 2009 Formula One world victor Jenson Button, and two-time 24 Hours of Le Mans champion Mike Rockenfeller – the car completed the race, with 285 laps traversed on the 8.4-mile circuit and enjoying a satisfying 39th spot in a field of 62 entrants.

Now, this prestigious award wasn’t fabricated out of thin air – the Dino Toso Racecar Aerodynamicist of the Year award, first introduced at the inaugural World Motorsport Symposium in 2005, honors its namesake and two-time winner as chief aerodynamicist at Renault F1 during their championship wins in 2005-06. The late Toso left a formidable legacy, having battled bravely with cancer before passing away at just 39 in 2008.

The international motorsport cabinet convenes for the World Motorsport Symposium each year, spearheading conversations that propel motorsport and automotive technology advancement. As we speak, NASCAR holds its head high, reminiscent of its rich, victorious past, looking towards an exciting future. And you can be sure John Speedway will be there reporting every turn.

About The Author
John Speedway is a ’70s legend, victorious and romantic. ‘Speedway’s the way, baby!’ Buckle up!

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