As to the UAW dolts, the industry operates at the whim of bureaucrats and not the customers. Chapter 11 was the way to go but that would have busted the unions and they would have been on the short end of the stick they already had. Those bond holders who risked their investment dollars were the really big losers.
Not the same engine. Each is slightly different according to the basic block and head design. I can tell you after experience with the D3 Roush flat tappet engine, the four engines are as different from each other as their names. The basic rules are the same for each and each must fit their basics into the rules.
As a racing techno geek, I am very happy they have brought EFI into the mix. How out of character it was to see the data guy’s laptop on the roof of the cars in the NASCAR garages.
As to the point the cars are all the same, yep. The only exception is the nose. Very slight differences but essentially the same. Everywhere, spec racing is the norm and the overriding agenda is for the show. What they don’t legislate by car chassis, shape and engine, they will attempt to level the playing field so driver ability is paramount. They are wedded to making the racing a sport of personalities and abilities.
Professional racing is the new “Circus come to town”. The trucks roll in like the Circus Train used to with all of the fancy graphics to announce their arrival. The tents go up, the show ensues, and when it is all over, the tents come down and it is off to the next stop for the show. That is the reality.
The engines are essentially the same, (overhead valve/pushrod), the rest is window dressing, a vanilla wafer.
The Car of Tomorrow is another vanilla wafer, and you’re left with the marshmallow on the inside.
Racing has jumped the shark and it is simply no longer fun to watch.
NASCAR is like dumping a box of Fruit Loops into a toilet and giving it a flush. Throw in some screaming redneck to announce it, and you could sell tickets.