According to O\u2019Donnell, the sanctioning body weighed several horsepower options before landing on 750 as a sweet spot between performance and affordability.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf you went beyond 750, we looked at almost $40\u201350 million cost to the industry,\u201d O\u2019Donnell explained. \u201cWe\u2019re looking at Dodge coming into the sport, we\u2019re looking at other OEMs coming into the sport, and then our current partners. Three-year runway \u2014 we didn\u2019t want to say, \u2018Alright, it\u2019s 1,000 now,\u2019 and then, just kidding, three years from now we\u2019re changing it again. That\u2019s hundreds of millions of dollars to the industry.\u201d<\/p>\n
Why NASCAR Is Upping The Power \u2013\u00a0
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Next-Gen Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 Race Car. (Chevrolet).<\/p>\n
The horsepower increase is a direct response to long-running criticism that the Next Gen Cup car\u2019s 670-horsepower limit made passing difficult and reduced throttle sensitivity on smaller circuits. The new 750-horsepower setup will be used at all road courses (such as Sonoma, Watkins Glen, and the Chicago Street Course) and ovals under 1.5 miles (like Martinsville, Bristol, and Phoenix).<\/p>\n
By adding power, NASCAR aims to create more tire wear, improved throttle control, and increased opportunities for side-by-side racing \u2014 all while keeping the cars manageable for teams already operating under tight budgets.<\/p>\n
John Probst<\/a>, NASCAR\u2019s Executive Vice President and Chief Racing Development Officer, said the organization sought a balance between more power and mechanical reliability.<\/p>\n \u201cOnce you go above that, you start crossing into very short-mileage engines because you\u2019re actually pushing them harder and harder,\u201d Probst explained. \u201cA lot of inefficiencies come in real quick.\u201d<\/p>\n Probst added that fan input played a major role in the decision. NASCAR routinely polls drivers, teams, manufacturers, and its audience when making technical rule changes. \u201cWe listen to the fans a lot,\u201d he said. \u201cOur fans are very passionate and provide very candid feedback, so that is all very important to us.\u201d<\/p>\n The Testing Phase \u2013\u00a0<\/p>\n To prepare for the 2026 rollout, NASCAR will conduct a special test session at North Wilkesboro Speedway this offseason. The goal is to evaluate how the Cup car behaves with an additional 80 horsepower and to fine-tune tire compounds with Goodyear<\/a>, which has been developing softer, more responsive tires in 2025.<\/p>\n O\u2019Donnell said this test will provide teams, drivers, and Goodyear with critical feedback before the new rules take effect.<\/p>\n \u201cWe want to take a step, we want to marry that up with aero, so we\u2019re going to do a test in the offseason at North Wilkesboro,\u201d O\u2019Donnell said. \u201cJust looking at what we can do with the tires now. Goodyear\u2019s stepping up now. Not perfect, right, but yeah \u2014 put some ideas together, go and try it at North Wilkesboro and see what happens.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n The test will help determine whether the added power enhances passing, tire wear, and overall drivability \u2014 three key metrics NASCAR wants to improve before the 2026 season begins.<\/p>\n The Dodge Factor \u2013\u00a0 Perhaps the most exciting element of O\u2019Donnell\u2019s comments is the direct mention of Dodge returning to NASCAR. The automaker, which last competed in the Cup Series in 2012, has been frequently linked to a comeback since Stellantis leadership expressed renewed interest in American motorsports.<\/p>\n While NASCAR has not confirmed a manufacturer entry, insiders believe the timing of this horsepower increase is no coincidence. The new 750-horsepower baseline would align perfectly with Dodge\u2019s powertrain expertise and heritage, especially as the brand continues to promote its HEMI\u00ae legacy and Direct Connection performance parts division<\/a>.<\/p>\n If Dodge rejoins the Cup Series, the brand would likely debut with a Next Gen version of the Charger \u2014 giving fans another reason to get excited about.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Image-72.jpeg\")
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\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/IMG_9687.jpeg\")
Dodge Charger SIXPACK Next-Gen NASCAR Cup Design. (Turn 4 Graphics).<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/BKburnoutBMS-scaled.jpg\")
Brad Keselowski celebrating after winning in his No. 2 Miller Lite Dodge Charger Cup Car. (Dodge).<\/p>\n