Chevrolet Blazer EV.R NASCAR Prototype Is Unfortunately Uncool

In the leadup to the 2025 Daytona 500 Chevrolet revealed its vision for an electric NASCAR racer.

Despite being fully immersed in North American stock car racing for decades, Chevrolet is actively exploring the possibilities of an electric stock car series—seemingly ignoring everything General Motors knows about the average NASCAR enjoyer. It's ok, Ford made the same mistake.

Officially named the Blazer EV.R NASCAR Prototype, it shares its name and general shape with the road-going Blazer SS EV, but the similarities end there.

Underneath, the Blazer EV.R delivers 1,300 horsepower from a three-motor, all-wheel-drive system. While the output number is double the 670-hp of today’s V8-powered Next Gen Cup Series cars you're cracked in the head if you think 1,300 electric REEEEEEEEs is superior to 670 pushrod BAUUUUGHHHHHSSSSS.

Those motors rev beyond 15,000 rpm and are powered by a 78-kWh liquid-cooled battery, housed within a modified Next Gen chassis. Like Ford’s recent electric stock car demonstrator, the Blazer EV.R shares key elements with NASCAR’s unbranded electric prototype, including its suspension setup.

Chevrolet isn't forthcoming on the EV.R's curb weight—we reached out to ask for official specs—but some quick napkin math should figure it out. A fully dressed Cup Car weighs 3,200 lbs without driver and fuel. EVs are said to be 33% heavier than combustion-powered vehicles, which would put the Blazer EV.R around 4,300 lbs at a minimum, maybe more.

Despite its performance potential, Chevrolet makes it clear that this isn’t a race-ready vehicle. The Blazer EV.R is positioned as a research and development tool, allowing Chevrolet to experiment with electric performance technologies that could influence future production vehicles and motorsport programs.

NASCAR has made no official announcement about launching such an all-electric series and they probably never will. For now, the Blazer EV.R will serve as a showcase of what an electric NASCAR entry could look like.

Chevrolet has also made the inexplicable decision to use the Blazer SS for pace car duty during the Daytona 500. Never mind the 1,064 hp Corvette ZR1 that just annihilated Porsche and McLaren at several iconic American race tracks, if the ZR1 paced the field it would be the most powerful pace car in NASCAR history. Instead, Chevy has decided to ignore what its core enthusiast fan base wants in an attempt to expose them to the all-electric Blazer SS.

Oh well.

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