A few days ago, Tyler Reddick ranted about the Next-Gen car. The 23XI Racing driver finished runner-up in the 2025 Daytona 500, a vast improvement from his previous 27th-place finish. However, he confessed he had no hand in it, as the Next-Gen’s faults caused massive wrecks en route to his finish. What is more, he slammed the tendency to save fuel, as drivers cannot pass in this car. Guess what, NASCAR may be making things more difficult for next season.
The 2026 season is already inundated by several upcoming changes. Ranging from NASCAR’s new street course in San Diego, the Naval Base Coronado, to fresh tweaks to the playoff format, the sport is in a state of overhaul. However, the latest rumors about next season’s changes did not put fans in a good mood.
Controlling the race-determining factor
In 2024, Joey Logano set off a controversial conversation. After being an afterthought in the initial stretch of the season, the Team Penske star won in Nashville. And the circumstances surrounding that victory caught people’s attention – Logano powered to a quintuple overtime finish, solely relying on fuel mileage. He used the same strategy during the playoffs in Las Vegas, running the final 72 laps without stopping. After he went on to win the championship, Logano inspired his competitors for 2025. From William Byron’s Iowa victory to Bubba Wallace’s Brickyard 400 win, fuel saving played a major role.
So now, NASCAR is apparently trying to control this novel race-winning factor. Introducing the Next-Gen car in 2022 was not enough to compel race teams to rely on single-spec parts for their cars. This meant increased parity on the racetrack, fewer opportunities for passing, and wildcard outcomes. A NASCAR fan released a concerning rumor on Instagram. They wrote, “Filling in the blanks from what I’ve heard here, sounds like the Cup Series could be getting a spec gas can next season.”