The Late Model Stock Car Gen 6 body has been approved by NASCAR Whelen All-American Series officials and will get the official rubber stamp following the ValleyStar Credit Union 300 at Martinsville Speedway.
In December of 2013, Five Star Bodies debuted a prototype at the Performance Racing Industry (PRI) Trade Show for the new body skinned in a Lee Pulliam wrap but abandoned production of the body after NASCAR didn’t approve the new design. It was redesigned to fit a Super Late Model and eventually began being approved by several sanctioning bodies while the ABC Committee has yet to approve it.
With Super Late Models getting the new body this year and with some Bowman Gray Stadium Sportsman teams running the body this season, Late Model Stock Car competitors have been eager to get their hands one. Until recently NASCAR had not approved the change but during a recent track owner’s meeting with NASCAR Whelen All-American Series officials, the decision was made to allow it for 2020.
The body is expected to be officially approved the week after the ValleyStar Credit Union 300 at Martinsville Speedway, which takes place on October 5th. Myrtle Beach Speedway promoter Steve Zacharias confirmed via text that it would be legal for the Myrtle Beach 400 on November 15-16th and Southern National Motorsports Park owner Michael Diaz confirmed that the body will be allowed during the running of the Thanksgiving Classic on November 30th and December 1st. With the two biggest postseason races approving the body for use, other tracks are expected to as well.
The CARS Tour did not respond to our attempt to confirm whether or not they will approve the body. However, based on conversations during the last off-season, CARS Tour has made it clear that they’d like to stick as close as possible to the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series rulebook to give local drivers a chance to compete against the CARS Tour when they come to their home track.
We will post more about this when it’s available.
Cover photo from Five Star Bodies Facebook.
