Buckle up, race fans! NASCAR's boosting horsepower next year, and while it sounds like a shot of adrenaline for the sport, some drivers are urging everyone to keep their expectations in check. Will it truly revolutionize racing, or is it just a minor tweak? Let's dive into what the drivers themselves are saying.
Kyle Larson, a prominent voice in the Cup Series, recently cautioned against excessive hype surrounding NASCAR's announcement of a horsepower increase for the upcoming season. Speaking at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Larson advised, "I would encourage you all, and fans, to not over-promote it like it’s going to fix everything. I would encourage everybody to temper their expectations. It’s not way different." He even shared his personal experience from a test run at Kershaw, where he didn't immediately notice the change, suggesting the impact might be subtler than some anticipate. "I did a test recently at Kershaw, and nobody told me that I had higher horsepower, and I never really realized it, so I wouldn’t say it’s going to feel different or look crazy different.”
But here's where it gets controversial... Even with his reservations, Larson is still optimistic about the change, especially for road courses, street circuits, and oval tracks shorter than 1.5 miles. "I’m happy," he stated, adding, "I think it’s probably a step in a better direction.” This sentiment echoes the general feeling among drivers who were asked about the 80-horsepower boost. NASCAR's decision to increase the horsepower from 670 to 750 at these 17 racetracks in 2026 aims to improve the racing product, particularly in the Next Gen era, on road courses and shorter ovals. It's a direct response to concerns about the cars feeling too planted and lacking excitement on these tracks.
Christopher Bell expressed his enthusiasm, saying, "I’m super excited about it, and I’m glad that NASCAR and the engine builders have taken a step in the right direction.” He believes the increased horsepower will significantly impact races, especially considering Goodyear's tire choices. Bell emphasized the evolution of the cars handling on road courses. Comparing current conditions to a couple of years ago, he noted the cars are "anything but locked down," promising that added horsepower would be a "big deal." "It’s definitely going to play a role in the races, especially with the tires that Goodyear has been bringing. A couple of years ago, we were talking about the road courses [and how] the cars were just locked down. I can promise you, last weekend at the Charlotte road course, those things were anything but locked down, and you give us more horsepower to what we had last week, it’s going to be a big deal. I think it’s definitely a step in the right direction.”
And this is the part most people miss... It's not just about the horsepower. The tire compound plays a crucial role too. Goodyear has been diligently developing softer tire compounds that wear more quickly, allowing driver skill to shine. Tires that degrade force drivers to manage their equipment and create more passing opportunities throughout the field. A combination of increased horsepower and softer tires is viewed favorably by drivers who are eager to see how it unfolds on the track.
Joey Logano also weighed in, stating, "I think it’s directionally correct. It’s obviously not a huge bump in power. It’s the direction they have to go." Logano acknowledged the complexities involved in increasing horsepower, explaining that there are limitations preventing a more drastic change. He pointed out that simply removing the tapered spacer isn't a viable solution due to various downstream consequences. "There are a lot of limitations that keep them from going further; there are a lot of parts to that equation. It’s not that simple to just take the tapered spacer off and open them up and let her eat. It sounds cool. It’s easy to say that here, but when you dig a little deeper downstream, there are a lot of things that happen to handle that, so I think directionally it’s the right way."
Logano also highlighted the significant progress Goodyear has made in tire development. "I think the biggest thing that I’ve seen here recently in the last six months is what Goodyear is doing. Goodyear is bringing a tire that falls off, and we’re seeing that at a lot of different racetracks now." He believes the increased horsepower will accelerate tire degradation, further enhancing the racing product. "The horsepower will make the fall off a little bit faster. It will happen quicker. There will be more fall off with more horsepower, so it’s directionally kind of going that way, but what Goodyear is doing is the biggest part of the equation, in my opinion.”
John Hunter Nemechek expressed his hope that the horsepower increase will improve racing on short tracks by promoting tire degradation and allowing drivers to showcase their skills. "I definitely hope that it helps on some of the short tracks from tire degradation, tire wear, being able to manage your stuff, and be able to show out," Nemechek said. "Who knows how that’s going to work? Time will tell, but I’m excited for more horsepower. I think everyone is from the driver’s standpoint.”
Erik Jones offered a more nuanced perspective, admitting his feelings on the horsepower issue fluctuate. Having experienced various horsepower levels throughout his career, from the high-powered cars of the past to the current 670-horsepower configuration, Jones questions whether higher speeds always equate to better racing. "At the end of the day, when I go to my local short track, my favorite race of the night is usually like the street stocks, and they're not very fast, so I don't know that going faster is always your answer to better racing,” Jones said. "I think that's a bit of a myth. Maybe the bigger horsepower car puts on a better show. I don't know. It's a way different car, way different brakes and tires, so we probably need to just try it because right now the road course and short track races, I don't know what you guys think, but when I watch them back, not on the edge of my seat most of the time."
Jones continued, "We definitely need to try something. I hope it's better, but I honestly just don't know. I really don't.” He encapsulates the uncertainty surrounding the actual impact of the horsepower increase.
Bowman Gray Stadium, which hosts the pre-season Clash, will be the inaugural race to feature the increased horsepower package next year. This event will provide an early glimpse into the potential changes and allow fans and drivers to assess the effects of the new configuration.
So, what do you think? Will this horsepower increase be a game-changer, or just a minor adjustment? Do you agree with Larson's call for tempered expectations, or are you more optimistic like Bell? And is horsepower really the key to better racing, or are factors like tire compound and track design more important? Let's hear your thoughts in the comments below!
