The speculation is over — NASCAR will introduce a long-awaited horsepower increase for short tracks and road courses in the 2026 Cup Series season. Under the new rules, engines will produce 750 horsepower — up from 670 — on all road courses and ovals under 1.5 miles.
Fans have been calling for more powerful cars for quite some time, but many aren’t thrilled with the modest boost that’s been announced.
NASCAR’s Long-Awaited Horsepower Boost Leaves Fans Wanting More
Since the Next Gen car arrived almost four years ago, many across the sport have called for more horsepower on short tracks and road courses, saying the jump from 670 to 750 wouldn’t break the bank.
The plan is similar to the Gen 6 setup, which used 550 horsepower on intermediate tracks and 750 on short tracks and road courses.
The horsepower bump from 670 to 750 will apply to the following 2026 tracks: COTA, Watkins Glen, San Diego, Sonoma, Charlotte Roval, Bowman Gray, Phoenix, Darlington, Martinsville, Bristol, Dover, Nashville, North Wilkesboro, Iowa, Richmond, New Hampshire, and Gateway.
“I would say, like any other change that we are considering to the cars, we listen to the fans a lot,” said John Probst, NASCAR executive vice president and chief racing development officer.
“We listen to the drivers. We have stakeholders in the broadcast, OEM (manufacturers) and team competition and team business folks, so there’s always no shortage of feedback that we get. Our fans are very passionate, they provide very candid feedback, so that all is very important to us,” he added.
Many fans, however, aren’t going to pat NASCAR’s back just yet, as they believe 750 HP is not a significant upgrade.
“15 years ago they had 870hp,” one fan wrote. “And yes this matters. It matters to fans. Horsepower is an attractant. Without it, these cars aren’t cool. And cool is also an attractant. 950+ hp would bring in a sizable audience. 750hp is not enough.”
“So mile and a half are still gonna be lame air block fests,” another fan complained that the action on intermediate tracks still won’t be up to par.
“Bandaid on a bullet would. It should be 900hp, unrestricted. Make the cars like they were in the 2000s where it was easy for drivers to lose control,” one user pointed out. “NASCAR would be more respected as a Motorsport if they pushed 1000hp.”
“Drivers have already said it won’t make a difference. The cars need to be 900 HP,” the call for even higher horsepower continued.
“80 hp wont make any noticeable difference,” another user said.
Notably, NASCAR has steadily cut horsepower since 2014: 900HP that year, 750HP in 2015, 550HP in 2019, and slightly ticking up to 670HP when the Next Gen car launched in 2022.
Many fans believe the jump to 750HP is still not enough for improved racecraft and better passing opportunities. However, NASCAR remains cautious, but the horsepower boost is a welcome change and could pave the way for further increases.