NASCAR has gone electric, and now Chevrolet is stepping in. The Blazer EV.R NASCAR prototype is Chevy’s take on an electric race car, set to make its first official appearance at the 2025 Daytona 500. It’s not the first. NASCAR unveiled its own electric prototype last summer, a crossover-shaped racer designed to show the sport’s shift toward lower emissions. Ford followed with an electric machine of its own, built to look like a Mustang Mach-E. Chevy’s Blazer EV.R joins the lineup with the same setup—three motors, a 78-kWh liquid-cooled battery, and more than 1,300 horsepower. The car choice is just as interesting as the powertrain. NASCAR has always been about sedans and coupes, but with SUVs and crossovers taking over dealerships, it’s no surprise manufacturers are bringing that shape to the track. The Blazer name, which Chevrolet brought back in 2023, is already part of that shift. Read More Novitec Injects Aggression into Lamborghini Aventador S Roadster Chevy’s Electric Racer Means Business Chevrolet wasn’t about to let Ford and NASCAR have all the fun. The Blazer EV.R NASCAR prototype is built on the Next-Gen chassis, the same one used by today’s V-8-powered race cars. But that’s where the similarities end. There’s no thunderous engine note here. Instead, three electric motors send over 1,300 horsepower to all four wheels, controlled by a programmable all-wheel-drive system. The power meets the pavement through Goodyear Racing Eagle tires, the same ones NASCAR used on its ABB EV prototype. Chevy’s engineers worked with NASCAR to fine-tune the system, making sure it delivers the kind of performance fans expect on race day. It still looks like a Blazer EV SS, at least at first glance. But step closer, and the changes are hard to miss. The front splitter is larger, pushing the car down at high speeds. Out back, a massive wing and diffuser work overtime to keep things stable. Chevy also went full race mode with the body—chopping it down from a four-door to a two-door and deleting the side windows. NASCAR Xfinity Series champion Justin Allgaier was one of the first to test it at Carolina Motorsports Park. He had to rethink how he judged speed, since there was no engine noise or gearing feedback. Regenerative braking also made things tricky, shifting how the car handled under braking and in corners. Chevy put the prototype through full-speed race testing, proving it can handle the track. But don’t expect to see an all-electric NASCAR series just yet. For now, this is more of an experiment than a sign of what’s next. Toyota Could Be Next, But NASCAR Isn’t in a Rush Ford and Chevy have shown their cards. Now, all eyes are on Toyota. If it follows suit—and it seems likely—expect an electric prototype based on the bZ4X EV. The concept was on display when NASCAR first introduced its vision for electric racing, parked alongside Ford’s Mustang Mach-E and Chevrolet’s Blazer EV. Even with major brands experimenting, NASCAR isn’t diving into electric racing just yet. The sport has said these cars are a preview of what’s possible “years down the road.” There are whispers of a dedicated electric series in the works, but so far, it’s just that—talk. Read More Porsche is Auctioning Last 911 S/T in US to Aid Wildfire Victims Chevy’s electric footprint at Daytona 500 weekend won’t stop at the prototype. A Blazer EV SS will lead the field as the official pace car, with actor Alan Ritchson behind the wheel. Unlike the race-spec version, this one is straight from the showroom—well, almost. The Corvette Stingray will handle pace car duties for the Xfinity Series United Rentals 300, while the Chevy Silverado RST takes charge for the Craftsman Truck Series Fresh From Florida 250. Source: Chevrolet
