NASCAR’s rulebook was updated with new technical updates for the 2026 national series season on Nov. 14.
In addition to its previously announced changes that it’d increase horsepower to 750 hp at select NASCAR Cup Series tracks in 2026, the sanctioning body added guidance for A-post flaps at all tracks.
The newly developed A-post flaps are meant to decrease the chance of a car getting airborne.
Previously, the flap was only mandated at superspeedways.
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NASCAR also revealed its parameters for new manufacturers looking to test prior to entering the Cup, NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series or NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series. It’ll allow for no more than three tests for new OEMs, limited to a maximum of three teams and two vehicles per organization.
Said tests must be completed by March 1 and cannot be done at newly repaved, newly added or recently raced on tracks on the schedule.
The test pertains to RAM, which is entering the Truck Series in 2026.
The previously announced horsepower changes occur at tracks shorter than 1-and-a-half miles in length, increasing engine output at those tracks.
Executive Editor at Frontstretch
Kevin Rutherford is the executive editor of Frontstretch, a position he gained in 2025 after being the managing editor since 2015, and serving on the editing staff since 2013.
At his day job, he’s a journalist covering music and rock charts at Billboard. He lives in New York City, but his heart is in Ohio — you know, like that Hawthorne Heights song.