How Chevrolet Will Use This Blazer EV.R NASCAR Prototype to Make Future EVs Better

Many people don’t understand or underestimate the importance of racing in the automotive industry. This weekend, the Daytona 500 starts the NASCAR Series which will race until the fall. Racing is all about vehicle performance, endurance and driver safety, attributes that are important to most drivers. Chevrolet is breaking from tradition this weekend and used a 2025 Chevrolet Blazer EV SS as the pace car. This Blazer EV Super Sport has 615 horsepower and can go 0-60 mph in 3.4 seconds with a boost feature called Wide Open Watts. It is the quickest SS model Chevrolet has ever produced. NASCAR race cars are all gas-powered V-8s.

Chevrolet also introduced an EV prototype that could represent the possible future of racing. Think of the Chevrolet Blazer EV.R NASCAR prototype as an example of Chevrolet continuing to test, learn, and explore new technologies that could be applied to both race programs and production cars.

“While we will continue to race our proven and winning V8 technology in NASCAR for years to come, we continually look for ways to improve the combination of power, durability, and efficiency to transfer learnings from the racetrack to the showroom, especially as we bolster Chevy’s consumer EV lineup,” said Eric Warren, executive director, global motorsports competition for General Motors.

EV Race Car Could Help Solve the Range and Charging Issues

The two biggest complaints about EVs right now are that most still don’t have enough range and it takes too long to charge, if you can find a working charger. Race cars have to have serious range, most races are 250-600 miles. Refilling with gasoline takes mere seconds, racers can’t take ten minutes to charge or they will lose the race.

This prototype delivers over 1,300 horsepower from three six-phase electric motors that instantly rev up to 15,000 rpm, powered by a 78-kWh liquid-cooled battery. It will go fast but can they make it last longer and recharge more quickly?

According to Chevrolet, exploring new technologies allows the company to apply what it learns to the vehicles in the showroom.

“Motorsports is a test bed for innovation, and a training ground for our engineers — one that allows Chevrolet to try out new technologies in a fast-paced environment against the best competition,” Warren added.

Following the Racing Industry’s Rules

All of NASCAR’s vehicles use the same basic chassis. The Blazer EV.R is also built on NASCAR’s Next Gen chassis and suspension.  Chevrolet worked closely with NASCAR and other manufacturers on the parameters and technical elements of the prototype, so what the company learns may apply to both EVs and gas-powered vehicles.

“This program was a great opportunity with NASCAR to design a new crossover utility vehicle body and bring forward design elements from our Blazer EV SS,” said Phil Zak, executive director, Chevrolet Global Design. “The EV.R prototype offers lower and wider proportions and was designed with aerodynamics and performance in mind.”

“NASCAR and its manufacturer partners are passionate about emerging technologies, and working to remain on the forefront of innovation,” said Brandon Thomas, NASCAR vice president, vehicle design. “With the Blazer EV.R NASCAR prototype, Chevrolet and its engineers meshed new technologies with the NASCAR Next Gen platform – and the result is a powerful, exciting vehicle that we believe fans will love when they see it at Daytona International Speedway.”

Some of the Early Lessons from the Blazer EV.R

The Chevrolet Blazer EV.R has been tested on a racetrack and it is teaching Chevrolet about the differences in acceleration and cornering with so much horsepower and instant torque.

“There are so many things you don’t think about until you’re in the car actually testing it,” said Justin Allgaier, Team Chevy driver. “I’m used to knowing my speed through gearing and listening to engine revs, so I had to totally change how I judge corner entry speed. With this platform we’re learning how to strategically adjust regenerative braking, which has a big impact on braking sections and cornering balance."

Everyone who has driven an EV knows that they handle differently than an ICE vehicle. This prototype will help engineers learn about improving the handling at high speeds and in difficult conditions. Plus, if engineers can use the prototype to improve range and charging, all vehicle manufacturers will benefit.

Chevrolet Photo

Mary Conway is a professional automotive journalist and has decades of experience specializing in automotive news analysis. She covered the Detroit Three for more than twenty years for the ABC affiliate, in Detroit. Her affection for the Motor City comes naturally. Her father ran a gas station while Mary was growing up, in Wisconsin.

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