LEBANON, Tenn. — As the majority of NASCAR Cup Series attendees made their rounds at the Nashville Superspeedway media center on Saturday, May 31, one of the main topics of discussion was the long-awaited increase in horsepower for the Next Gen car.
The topic arose after NASCAR Senior Vice President Elton Sawyer said the Sirius XM NASCAR Radio that sports officials are “on the table and are discussed daily”.
Since 2022, the Next Gen car has produced lackluster racing at the short tracks of the Cup schedule. The dilemma sparked rule changes and a softening of tires by Goodyear in a bid to make overtaking more possible. Sadly, for the most part, it was of no use.
“You know, I think all we’ve done with this car from the old car is bigger tires, bigger brakes, less power, and… it’s just not conducive to better racing in my opinion,” the two-time Cup champion said. Kyle Busch said.
However, one of the most controversial ideas is increasing the Cup car’s horsepower by 650 horsepower – something that NASCAR has not agreed to for fear of increasing costs for teams and engine builders.
But Sawyer’s comments seemed to reignite the debate, and nearly every driver in the field agreed to a general consensus.
They want more speed.
‘It’s really cool,’ three-time Cup Series champion Joey Logano said. “I like it. I want to do it. Not just the engine, but the transmission. It needs to be strengthened more. … You just want to make the racing better, right?”
When it comes to how much power is needed to see a difference, results vary. However, many aspire to 950 horsepower days, or even up to 1,000 horsepower.
“I would love for us to go back to the 1000,” 2013 NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour champion Ryan Preece said. “If we’re at 1,000 horsepower or whatever, I mean, for us as a racing driver now, I don’t know the logistics. … I’m sure it’s expensive, but not just on the engine side, but a lot of other parts as well.
“But what I can say is that, from a racing driver, it’s a different tool. You can do things better than someone else.”
To some, 750 horsepower seems like enough of a change, although it won’t make much difference. Surprisingly, Joe Gibbs Racing driver Denis Hamlinwho was one of the most ardent in favor of more power, was one of them.
“In all honesty, I’ll take whatever they give us and be happy with it,” Hamlin told the media. “Do I wish that was the number we had before? Absolutely, but I think we have to be realistic and even if it’s 80 to 100, we just have to take it and shut up and be grateful that they’re willing to change.”
Kaulig Racing Driver AJ Allmendinger agreed.
“I think we need to at least go to 750,” Allmendinger said. Front stretch. “I think if you probably ask all the drivers here, we wouldn’t be opposed to 800, 900.
“I know we won’t go into it again, but I think the 750 is at least a start. I think it would probably be a good number, but it also has to depend on the engine side, what they want. I don’t know if that’s the complete answer, but if it’s not, it won’t hurt.”
For others, it has to be more, otherwise it won’t be worth it.
“It probably has to be pretty big,” said the former model racing champion. Josh Berry said. “What I would hate is if we increased the horsepower by 100 and they didn’t really look that different, and everyone was like, ‘Oh, that wasn’t it,’ you know? So I mean, it’s a combination of a lot of things, right?”
Ultimately, the prevailing opinion of the Cup Series field appears to be a resounding need for more power for the Next Gen car. Many older Cup Series veterans agree that a return to the higher engine horsepower days of the series would see a return to form not only on short tracks, but everywhere beyond.
“I don’t know how much difference it would make, but everything would be better,” 2021 champion Kyle Larson said. “I hope it’s not something they’re only looking for on short tracks, you know? Our intermediate races are good, right? But I still think with more power it would be even better.
“So, you know, if the teams and manufacturers agree, I wouldn’t be opposed to trying it at other tracks as well. I mean, it’s cool. We’ll take whatever they give us.”
Yet despite differences of opinion on how much power is needed, almost everyone in the garage seems to agree on the need for more power for the Next Gen car.
Almost everyone.
“No, I don’t think it will help the product,” Spire Motorsports driver Michael McDowell said Front stretch. “I think it’s just an illusion that some drivers and media are trying to paint.
“I don’t think it will make a little difference on any of those points. We just need to keep adding softer tires and having more tire wear and we’ll be fine. I think it’s going to be a lot of work for not much result on that one.”
Still, if majority opinion is any indication, an increase in speed and power would likely help the racing product that the Cup Series appears to be lacking so far in 2025.
Why not try?
“Why don’t we all show up somewhere, wherever our next short track is, and make 800 horsepower,” 23XI Racing driver. Bubba Wallace suggested. “If it’s a shit show, then get out of there, but you’re going to get a 720 package and a driver is going to say, ‘I thought that was pretty good!’ Oh, it’s over! Well done ! “But no, that’s not the case. I think we need a big step. What are we afraid of?
“I mean, we’ve been saying it for years. We want more power, and we’ve always been told we’re waiting for other manufacturers to come along and they’re not! So let’s do something.”
NASCAR At Track Coordinator has Front stretch
Dalton Hopkins began writing for Frontstretch in April 2021. Currently, he is the weekly’s senior editor Think out loud column, co-host of the Happy Hour Frontstretch podcast and one of our main journalists. Previously, he wrote for IMSA shortly after graduating from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in 2019. At the same time, he is also a captain in the United States Army.
Follow Dalton on Twitter @PitLaneCPT
