Listed at 670 hp, the performance of the Cup Series engines will climb to 750 hp starting in the 2026 season on all ovals under a mile and a half (2,4 km), and road courses. The goal is to help increase the spectacle on these types of circuits, which have suffered since the introduction of the Next Gen car in 2022. The latter has greatly contributed to the return to favor of so-called “intermediate” ovals, but at the expense of “short tracks.”
He is the president of the NASCARSteve O’Donnell, who announced the change on an episode of former driver Dale Earnhart Jr.’s podcast, said John Probst, director of NASCAR racing product development, said the decision was made after consulting with stakeholders and the sport’s fans, who are increasingly fewer in number in front of their televisions.
“I would say, as with any other change we consider to the cars, we listen very closely to the fans. We listen to the drivers. We have stakeholders in broadcasting, OEMs (manufacturers), and race and team officials, so we never lack for feedback. Our fans are very passionate, they give us their honest feedback, which is very important to us.”
As with the playoff system, which could be modified as early as next season, fans have been particularly annoyed by the lack of on-track competition created by the current short-track package. Heavily dependent on its aerodynamic efficiency, the Next Gen likely doesn’t have enough power to compensate, which has led to processions for several seasons.
The 750 horsepower figure was seen as a good compromise by NASCAR and engine manufacturers, offering both an increase in power while not risking a decrease in the reliability of the V8 blocks: “If we were to increase the power from 670 horsepower to about 750 horsepower, it probably wouldn’t make much difference to us today.”, said Doug Yates, CEO of Roush Yates Engines, during a talk on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio in April. “But going back to those 900-horsepower engines would be a major project that would certainly reduce the engine’s life.”
If the first races of the season, which will be held mostly on the types of tracks affected by the power increase, go well, NASCAR is not ruling out the possibility of the 750 horsepower being used on all types of track, except the superspeedways of Daytona, Talladega and Atlanta.
ALSO READ > Chevrolet will have a new car in 2026