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They look better, race better and should provide fans more to cheer about.

NASCAR's new Gen-6 Sprint Cup cars -- the Ford Fusion, Chevrolet SS and Toyota Camry -- have a distinctive appearance.

That should excite fans who love their brands and drivers in stock-car racing's premier series.

The Gen-6 cars should run better at mile-and-a-half tracks and provide drivers more mechanical grip and less aero dependency, which likely will set up closer, more exciting races.

The body styles of the Gen-6 car don't fit that well for tandem and bump drafting at superspeedways in Daytona and Talladega.

Good, say most drivers, who are aware that tandem racing and bump drafting ultimately lead to someone being turned or pushed into the wall with a big repair bill to follow.

NASCAR has parked its Car of Tomorrow, which for the past couple of seasons was pretty much unrecognizable from a manufacturer's point of view. To the naked eye on the racetrack, a Ford looked like a Chevy, which looked like a Dodge.

The Gen-6 car has character and form. It should show well on all tracks in 2013.

Contact Mike Brudenell: 313-222-2115 or mbrudenell@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @mikebrudenell.

More Details: Next generation

What: The Sprint Unlimited, exhibition race for 2012 pole winners and past event winners that marks the Gen-6 car's competitive debut.

When: 8 p.m. Saturday (Fox).

Where: Daytona International Speedway.