When NASCAR first rolled out the Car of Tomorrow in 2007, it was hyped as the future of stock car racing. Safer, stronger, and built to last. But ask anyone who drove it, and you’ll hear a mixed bag of memories. Fans weren’t exactly thrilled either. With its boxy look, drivers learned quickly that this wasn’t just another race car. Rather, it demanded a whole new approach. And while plenty of gripes came and went, one issue in particular still sticks out that pushed some veterans over the edge, including Dale Earnhardt Jr.

The Car of Tomorrow’s most defining (and divisive) feature was the front splitter. For those unfamiliar, the splitter is a flat panel attached to the bottom of the car’s nose. It’s designed to improve aerodynamics by creating front-end downforce, helping the car stick

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