Picture this: You're revving up for the ultimate thrill of NASCAR racing, but something feels off – the cars just aren't delivering that edge-of-your-seat excitement like they used to. That's the heart of the debate buzzing through the paddocks right now, as top drivers in the Cup Series share their measured reactions to NASCAR's upcoming tweak: a slight boost in horsepower for select races on short tracks and road courses next season. But here's where it gets controversial – is this tiny power-up really going to reignite the sparks, or are we chasing the wrong fix? Let's dive into the details and hear what the stars are saying, because this could reshape how we think about racing's future.
For the most part, the lineup of drivers in the Cup Series has adopted a carefree 'why not try it' attitude toward NASCAR's choice to bump up the power level modestly on those tight, twisty venues. It's all about experimenting without much downside, as detailed in a recent Motorsport.com piece (https://www.motorsport.com/nascar-cup/news/nascar-orders-horsepower-increase-for-select-2026-cup-races-/10766271/).
Right now, the series is running on a 670 horsepower setup with a tapered spacer – think of it as a clever device that fine-tunes engine output for better efficiency – and that will jump to 750 horsepower starting next year. Sure, the sport has seen some progress lately with softer tires that offer more traction and subtle adjustments to aerodynamics that help cars hug the road. Yet, despite these tweaks, the on-track action on short tracks and road courses has undeniably taken a step back compared to the previous generation of cars. These newer vehicles come equipped with broader tires that provide extra grip, but they're paired with reduced horsepower, added weight, and a fully enclosed underside plus a rear diffuser that seals off airflow to minimize drag. After dragging their feet for so long, NASCAR is finally pulling the trigger on this small increase, aiming to improve the show without driving up costs for engine builders.
Now, let's turn to what some of the big names at Hendrick Motorsports are thinking. Take Kyle Larson driving their Chevrolet – his teammate Chase Elliott dubbed it 'a solid effort' and expressed curiosity about how it might steer the car's performance. 'It's simple to armchair quarterback and claim it's insufficient, that it needs more power or different tweaks,' Elliott shared during his media chat at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on Saturday. 'But at least it's a move forward, right? NASCAR is putting in the work, and I respect that they're mindful of not overburdening the engine teams with massive jumps in expense. Where exactly that sweet spot lies, I'm not sure, but testing it out makes sense. If it pans out, we could build on it; if not, we'll regroup. I'm eager to see what unfolds.'
Larson's perspective aligns closely, urging fans to keep their hopes in check after a recent shakedown at Kershaw, South Carolina, where the extra juice wasn't revealed until after the fact. 'It's not a game-changer,' Larson noted. 'I recently tested at Carolina Motorsports Park without knowing about the bumped-up horsepower, and honestly, I didn't notice a drastic shift. I anticipate it'll be an improvement, but I doubt it'll solve all our issues.'
Shifting gears to the Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota camp, Denny Hamlin's teammate John Hunter Nemechek echoes the sentiment that this isn't a magic bullet, but when combined with ongoing tire enhancements, it could elevate the overall racing experience. 'I'm unsure just how transformative the 750 horsepower package will be for the competitions themselves,' Nemechek admitted. 'Still, I'm hopeful it'll assist on those short tracks by addressing tire degradation and wear, helping drivers manage their setups better and put on a show. Only time will tell, but I'm pumped about the extra power – I bet every racer behind the wheel feels the same.'
Meanwhile, his teammate at Legacy Motor Club, Erik Jones, believes we often overemphasize raw speed in our discussions. 'This topic always has me debating internally,' Jones confessed. 'I've experienced racing across a spectrum of power levels in this sport. When I first entered Cup racing five or six years ago, we were down to around 550 horsepower; before that, my debut race featured 900 horsepower, then 750, then 500, and now 670. I've driven it all. At the end of the day, my go-to fun races are the street stock classes at local short tracks – they're not blazing fast, yet they're incredibly entertaining. So, I'm not convinced that simply going quicker is the key to superior racing.'
And this is the part most people miss – Jones points out that street stocks come with their own set of challenges, like tires that shred and fall apart under cars lacking any real aerodynamic assistance. But that highlights the bigger picture: it's the whole package that matters, not just horsepower.
Check out this related read for more on the topic:
NASCAR Cup Dale Jr. wants 'to strip apart' NASCAR NextGen on short tracks (https://www.motorsport.com/nascar-cup/news/dale-jr-wants-to-strip-apart-nascar-nextgen-on-short-tracks/10766755/)
Josh Berry, racing for 23XI, falls into the 'positive step forward' group when questioned during his Saturday presser. 'Sure, everyone craves even more, but considering the tire failures we saw last week, a bit more horsepower might just balance things out nicely,' Berry explained. 'We're still figuring this out with tire longevity and all. If tires keep wearing out quickly, we might not need 1000 horsepower to create better racing.'
To illustrate his point, the recent Charlotte Roval race was the strongest one on that circuit since the new cars arrived – and that was without the horsepower hike. The real secret, Berry suggests, is reducing grip, whether through power adjustments or other means. 'Just look at last week's finish with all those varied strategies – three-stop pits, two-stops,' he said. 'Or take Darlington as an example, where run splits create even pacing or divide the race; tire fall-off opens up so many tactical options, making it more than just a single approach. Either way, it's heading in the right direction.'
For additional context, don't miss these pieces:
General Still exiled NASCAR star wins short track championship (https://www.motorsport.com/general/news/still-exiled-nascar-star-wins-short-track-championship/10766508/)
NASCAR Cup 23XI, Front Row respond to NASCAR summary judgement motion (https://www.motorsport.com/nascar-cup/news/23xi-front-row-respond-to-nascar-summary-judgement-motion/10766775/)
NASCAR Truck Remembering the Red Sox legend who became a NASCAR driver (https://www.motorsport.com/nascar-truck/news/red-sox-legend-mike-greenwell-nascar-driver/10766772/)
We'd love to hear from you!
What do you think is the real key to fixing NASCAR's short track woes – more power, better tires, or something else entirely? Is Jones onto something by downplaying speed, or do you believe horsepower is the ultimate game-changer? Share your takes in the comments below – agree, disagree, or throw in a wild idea. Your opinions could spark some heated debates!
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