MARTINSVILLE, Va. – NASCAR Event Management and Five Star Race Car Bodies officials have confirmed that NASCAR has approved the Five Star 2020 Late Model Stock Car Body for competition and sales.

The new model will hit the market and be able to be raced in NASCAR late model competition following the conclusion of this weekend’s ValleyStar Credit Union 300 at Martinsville Speedway.

Five Star officials had one of the new 2020 bodies on display in front of their infield booth at Martinsville Friday afternoon, prior to practice for the ValleyStar Credit Union 300.

“There has been lots of talk about the new Five Star bodies … we wanted to get it right,” said Brandon Thompson, Managing Director, NASCAR Touring Series. “The same staff, same tools and the same process for Cup (Series) submission were used for weekly racing because it’s equally important. Five Star’s team couldn’t be more supportive. They’re great partners.”

The 2020 Late Model Stock Car Body design from Five Star is based on the company’s new late model body for offset chassis, which was extensively tested for aerodynamic parity and first introduced for competition earlier this season.

The 2020 body design was modified to fit the current late model stock car chassis and meets all NASCAR specifications.

The approval comes after a thorough test procedure by both NASCAR and Five Star. The two entities worked hand in hand throughout the process and met for formal wind-tunnel testing at Aerodyn Wind Tunnel in Mooresville, N.C., back in May.

Testing was conducted by NASCAR aerodynamic engineers and followed the same procedures used for body approval in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series.

During the controlled test, the current approved body style was mounted on the NASCAR LMSC Submission Chassis to establish baseline aerodynamic information. Once that information was obtained, the team from Five Star removed that body in the tunnel and mounted the new body, ensuring that it met ride height and dimensional requirements.

Testing of the new body showed that with only a spoiler adjustment, as requested by NASCAR engineers, all aerodynamic targets required for approval were met.

“We appreciate NASCAR’s commitment to establish a formal body design approval procedure for late model stock car bodies,” said Carl Schultz, President of Five Star. “We feel this will ensure the long-term success of NASCAR late model stock car racing, while providing fresh-looking body styles that will compete equally and create excitement for fans.”

Some of the upgrades to the 2020 late model stock body include a flame-retardant greenhouse, which is also wider for improved driver accessibility; added fender clearance; and increased engine clearance in the hood.

Tech inspection will benefit due to design features which make the body easier to install and more difficult to manipulate the shape.

The body uses common panels across all makes, with a brand-specific front nose and graphics packages for identity. It also allows for future styling updates that align with current OEM designs, without affecting aerodynamics and without requiring a complete body change.

The currently-approved models are the Chevrolet Camaro, the Ford Mustang and the Toyota Camry, available in white, black, blue and red.

A re-skin package will hit the market at $1,172 for either a black or white body, with $100 added for blue or red versions.

Meanwhile, a complete body package will retail for $3,133 in black or white, and $3,326 in blue or red.