Late Model Series

The origins of late model racing trace to the post-World War II period, when pre-war coupes and sedans from 1939 to 1941 were being displaced by new production vehicles. These older cars, modified with high-performance engines, were entered into competitions at oval tracks, many of which were converted horse racing facilities or newly carved out in fields.

In 1948, NASCAR standardized competition rules for these events. Initial regulations required all cars to be American-made and from 1937 or newer, with stock fenders, running boards, and bodies as equipped by the factory, while bumpers and mufflers had to be removed. Wheelbase, length, width, and hood had to remain stock. In 1950, NASCAR introduced the Sportsman division for lesser-modified cars, mirroring Modified rules for bodies and safety but restricting engine modifications.

By 1956, NASCAR had developed a plan to phase out the pre-war coupes and sedans in favor of cars it identified as Late Models — American cars produced between 1949 and 1955. As NASCAR's Grand National cars aged out of their eligibility window, they became eligible for the Modified and Sportsman divisions.

In 1968, NASCAR updated the Sportsman rules to require bodies from 1955 or newer, rebranding the class the Late Model Sportsman Series. NASCAR later reorganised the championship points and events of that series into a touring series that became the Xfinity Series. The Modified division continued with earlier car models and eventually evolved to eliminate front fenders entirely.

In the late 1970s, rising costs within the Late Model Sportsman class led to the creation of the Late Model Stock Car. Early changes centred on the carburetor, and by the mid-1980s the stock front chassis was replaced with a racing clip for improved safety and parts availability. The modern Late Model is a full-blown race car constructed entirely from racing parts.

Late model bodies are constructed from fiberglass moulded to resemble original equipment body panels, providing durability for short track racing without excessive weight. The affordability of sheet aluminium prompted racers to build their own bodies, but extreme customisation prompted standardisation. In the mid-1980s, dirt track promoters organised as United Midwestern Promoters and standardised body panel dimensions, requiring a prefabricated high-impact plastic nose. In 2002, asphalt track promoters met with body manufacturers Aluminum Racing Products and Five Star to develop the Approved Body Configuration, resulting in the ABC Rulebook now widely adopted for asphalt late models.

There are two chassis types for asphalt late models. The super late model chassis is offset to favour the left side, with the rear end and engine positioned left and maximum suspension adjustability. Other asphalt late models use a perimeter rail chassis, which is symmetrical like a production car. Dirt late model chassis are custom-built within standardised dimensions and allow extensive adjustments, including weight changes, rear steer changes, spring changes across all four corners, J-bar height and angle, stagger, and tyre compound and tread design.

Engine specifications vary by sanctioning body. Open engines are typically American naturally aspirated V8s producing upwards of 600 horsepower. Many series mandate crate motors, with GM 602, 603, and 604 engines and Harrington Enforcers commonly specified, limiting output to between 400 and 500 horsepower.

The late model category encompasses several performance tiers: super late models operate under the loosest rules; late model stock cars and pro late models feature aerodynamically aggressive, lighter bodies and enhanced horsepower; limited late models run lower-horsepower specifications. Vehicles built for dirt tracks are significantly different from those built for asphalt.

Late model cars are also used in road racing as a cost-effective option. The SCCA includes them in the GT America category, and the same chassis builders who supply super late models also provide chassis for the SCCA Trans-Am TA2 class.

Dirt track late model racing takes place in Australia, where the Australian Late Model Championship has been on the Australian speedway calendar since 2002. Late model cars also appear in simulators such as iRacing.

National touring series on asphalt include the American Canadian Tour, the ASA Midwest Tour, the American Speed Association, the CRA Super Series, the Carolina Pro Late Model Series, the CARS Tour, the Northwest Super Late Model Series, the Pro All Stars Series, the South Atlantic Pro Series, the Southern Super Series, the SRL Southwest Tour Series, and the United Auto Racing Alliance.

National dirt touring series include the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series and the World of Outlaws Late Model Series, alongside the XR Super Series.

Canadian competition includes the CASCAR Super Series, the APC United Late Model Series, the Maritime Pro Stock Tour, the Ontario Sportsman Series, the Quebec Sportsman Series, and the Super Late Model Series in Atlantic Canada.

This article is based solely on the supplied corpus. No external sources were consulted; claims that could not be substantiated against the corpus were omitted under the drop-the-claim rule.