“NASCAR is going to change the rules next year”
NASCAR currently runs a horsepower package of 670hp.
The engines themselves, with small changes, are capable of much more. Engine builders have stated that to add an extra 100hp, would be easy.
With the Next Gen car, they also widened the size of the tire. So, cars have more grip and less horsepower, a ridiculous combination.
But, it appears there will be changes for 2026…
Brad Keselowski says NASCAR is adding horsepower for 2026
Brad Keselowski is the co-owner of RFK Racing. You would expect him to be more in the loop of possible changes for the 2026 season.
“Well, you know, it looks like NASCAR is going to change the rules next year to where we’re like 740, 750,” Brad Keselowski stated via the Stacking Pennies podcast.
“It’s not quite 100, because, you know, right now, technically, they’re at 670, but realistically, they’re like 685, 690, so.”
NASCAR also hinted at adding horsepower
But, don’t just take the driver’s word for it. NASCAR themselves have confirmed the discussions…
“We’ve discussed many times about horsepower on the short tracks and that’s something that’s an ongoing discussion with our industry stakeholders, Toyota, Ford and Chevy, as well as our engine builder and our race teams,” Elton Sawyer recently stated via SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.
“Feel like we’re having positive conversations; there’s still a lot that goes into that. Obviously, that’s a 2026 initiative to get that across the line.
NASCAR’s reasoning for the 670-horsepower package is vast. One, they wanted to keep the costs down for teams. And, they also wanted to lessen the barrier for entry of a new manufacturer.
NASCAR is working on increasing horsepower
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