The time will come for every competitive racer to move up a weight class, and the SK’s big brother is also waiting to be tamed. Named the NASCAR Tour Modified, the car makes over 200 hp more than the SK Modified and brings with it a host of new challenges to conquer. This article will take you through the C Class NASCAR Tour Modified Series to prepare you for the step up into the big leagues.
The Car
Like its less powerful SK Modified sibling, the NASCAR Tour Modified is built from a bespoke tube-framed chassis, setting it up as a true built-for-purpose racer. Despite having way more power than the SK, it weighs the same 2,600 pounds (1,200 kg), meaning the vehicle really comes alive.
The NASCAR Tour Modified features a similar 358 ci V8 base engine as the SK Modified, though it features a host of upgrades that increase the power by over 200 hp. This results in a total of over 600 hp. Being an officially sanctioned NASCAR championship in real life, the NASCAR Tour Modified series is the only open-wheel fixture on the stock car regulator’s books.
Most lower-level modified series in real life favor the cheaper SK version, which has its own D Class iRacing championship, due to the significantly less-expensive powerplant. Younger professionals, or older specialist racers looking to earn money, look to get into the NASCAR Tour Modified series.
Race Series Format
The NASCAR Tour Modified fixture is run as a solo driver series, which features brief five-minute qualifying sessions that allow pilots to complete a total of two flying laps. Like the SK series, the races are run to a set number of laps. The NASCAR Tour events are longer though, lasting around 20 minutes compared to 15 of the SK. This can increase due to cautions being enabled in the higher-level fixture, however.
While the series is run to realistic weather, rain isn’t a worry as Modifieds don’t run when precipitation decides to crash the party. Being aware of the temperature and cloud cover is important, as this can change how the tires behave during the encounter.
A small tab allows you to view the forecast before you enter, so you’ll know what to expect before you hit the circuit.
- Races run for around 20 minutes
- Each features a five-minute qualifying that grants two flying laps
- Cautions and Lucky Dog are enabled, so beware
- Each event is set to a realistic weather forecast
Need Setups For The Series?
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Setups will be key to ensure you can extract the most from the NASCAR Tour Modified. The vehicle comes alive with the right settings, and the improved balance will help you to remain committed to the task at hand without battling the vehicle through the encounter. Get them today: Coach Dave Delta
What License Is Needed To Race
The NASCAR Tour Series requests each driver reach a C-Class oval license before they can enter.
To reach this level, the best way is to campaign either the Street Stock or Ford Legends rookie series to first achieve a D Level license. From there, the optimal route is to run clean races in the D SK Modified fixtures, either the open or fixed setup events. This way, you can get a good idea of the overall chassis characteristics of the machine.
- Concerned your driving technique isn’t up to scratch ahead of your debut in the meaty NASCAR Tour Modified? Why not pick up some fresh tips and revitalize your style by having a read of Coach Dave Academy’s extensive Never Lift guide?
Series Costing
Due to the NASCAR Tour Modified series running a very similar calendar to that of SK, many of the short tracks cross over. This means if you have purchased tracks to run in the lower-sanctioned series, you may already have all the ones needed to race at C Level. Bigger tracks such as New Hampshire Motor Speedway and Richmond Raceway do find their way onto the NASCAR Tour schedule though, so these may need to be picked up to run a full campaign.
Eight of the 12 rounds of the 2024 Season 2 fixture are paid circuits, which adds up to just over $100. The NASCAR Tour Modified also needs to be purchased, which pushes the total up to around $115. When the 20% tax is added on, the final total stands at $138.
Eight rounds of each season need to be partaken in to receive any participation credits at the end of the term, so four tracks would need buying in addition to the four free venues to reach this.
What’s So Special?
The NASCAR Tour Modified Series is great for those who want to continue running a lighter oval vehicle, but with power rivaling that of the top NASCAR series.
Drivers will need to watch their right foot on the narrow short tracks with the extra power of the NASCAR Tour modified vehicle, especially due to the low weight. While the car will remain agile, the lack of weight on the rear tires means they tend to break traction easier. The lack of any turbocharging at least means the torque curve is linear, making it easier to get on the power smoothly.
The combination of a 600 hp V8 and the lightweight chassis of the NASCAR Tour Modified results in breathless racing, just ensure that you’re not the cause of the caution you need to have a crack at the leaders.
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Taking Care Of Your Equipment Will Pay Off In The Long Run
Due to the extra power, and therefore speed, the NASCAR Tour Modified is capable of, your tires will take more of a pounding than they do in the lower-powered SK Modified. While the low weight of the machine makes it easier to save your front right tire, which will take the brunt of the energy throughout a race, higher corner entry speeds make it easy to rush the entry and overheat your rubber.
Backing off the entry will be important to ensure you don’t put unnecessary stress on the front right tire while being careful getting on the power is important to ensure the right rear tire doesn’t wear. Running out of rear grip in the closing stages is disastrous, as you’ll find your rivals simply driving past you on the corner exit.
- Ensuring you’re careful on the throttle through the race is key to saving the rear tires for later in the contest
- With cautions enabled, saving rubber could put you in an even better position to attack those who elected not to conserve in the opening stages
- Lower weight of the car means saving front right is still not as important as with heavier stock cars, though higher speed means scrubbing on corner entry could catch you out
- Get rid of extra speed in a straight line before turning to prevent this
The NASCAR Tour Modified Series is fantastic for continuing your education on how to boss short-circuit racing. The extra power available to you compared to the SK Modified Series will keep you on your toes, though the light weight of the machine continues to ensure the vehicle remains agile and more maneuverable than the much heavier stock cars.
- Also, remember to download the free Coach Dave Delta app today to access the full range of setups to fight for supremacy whenever you hit the track!
