NASCAR is using an ALL-ELECTRIC Ford Focus as its Pace Car tonight in VA.

[cherokeeprogressive]

I think that's pretty cool.

[razorman]

1. This better go well. If it won't start or breaks down for any reason during the run,

it will pretty much kill the electric-car in the U.S.

[cherokeeprogressive]

2. I'd bet money all off-track time is spent plugged in.

Especially after 80-90mph speeds for 6-8 laps.

[obxhead]

4. RIR is a very small 3/4 mile track.

Pace cars don't go anywhere near 80 mph there. I think they have the pace on yellow set at 45mph. Pit speed is only 40mph.

This is probably the perfect track to debut this car.

[jmowreader]

6. It's not track length or pace car speed...

If there are a LOT of yellow-flag laps in tonight's race, they could be in trouble. And since it's a short track, there very well may be.

I figure they will leave the cars plugged in when they're not on the track, just to make good and sure the pace car doesn't run out of power on the track.

[obxhead]

7. The Richmond race

is one of the few races I actually do watch due to all bumping and rubbing on the small track.

However, they are beyond the half way point with very little action. Even if they run 15 10 lap yellows (unheard of) we're still only talking less than 115 miles of driving at 45/50 mph for 2 cars.

Frankly, if these cars can't handle that, which I'm sure they can, they deserve any failure they have.

I'm sure they will do just fine.

[ohheckyeah]

8. Speaking of bumping and rubbing...

we used to go to Bristol for the races and it was wild as hell. Unfortunately, tickets are impossible for Bristol now.

[obxhead]

3. They have 2 of them there.

Beyond that, this is probably one of the best tracks to roll this car out. Low pace speeds (45 I think) on a very small track.

[cherokeeprogressive]

5. Yeah I forgot how short Richmond is.

You are absolutely correct.

[ohheckyeah]

9. The only tracks shorter than Richmond

are Bristol and Martinsville. Richmond is only .75 of a mile.

[razorman]

11. That's good. But, this is such a high-profile debut, nothing better go wrong.

[nadinbrzezinski]

10. How many brains are exploding in RW land right about now?

That is great, demonstrate that it works.

One team in F-1 is using all electric I believe as well, as proof of concept.

[raouldukelives]

12. Very cool.

As far as sustainability goes Nascar is pretty low on the list of ways to spend a day helping the planet. I hope this is the future of sport because I do enjoy watching things go very fast. Electric cars haul ass. Add some twisty courses, some battery pit-stops and I think it'd be blast.

[cherokeeprogressive]

13. Imagine going to an auto race and not needing earplugs.

Wouldn't that be strange? Cool to be sure.

I think it will be a very long time though before technology reaches the point where cars accelerate to 210 mph 10 times a lap for more than 1 or 2 laps. The weight of the batteries alone would be prohibitive.