Charlotte, North Carolina, October 11, 2025
News Summary
NASCAR has declared a major increase in horsepower to 750 hp for Cup Series events at select road courses and oval tracks shorter than 1.5 miles. This transition, effective in the 2026 season, is a response to demands from drivers and fans for enhanced performance. The increase aims to improve throttle control, tire management, and create additional passing opportunities during races. A comprehensive rules update will accompany this change, bringing excitement to 21 of the 38 Cup race weekends.
CHARLOTTE, North Carolina – NASCAR announced on October 8, 2023, that the horsepower for Cup Series events at road courses and oval tracks shorter than 1.5 miles will increase to 750 hp in the 2026 season. This increase marks a significant change from the current baseline horsepower of 670 hp for NASCAR’s top division.
The decision to boost horsepower is largely in response to the demand from drivers, the racing industry, and fans for a power boost for the Next Gen race car platform, which debuted in 2022. The increase is designed to improve drivers’ throttle control, incentivize tire management, and create more passing opportunities through varying on- and off-throttle times.
John Probst, NASCAR’s executive vice president and chief racing development officer, underscored the importance of fan feedback in making this decision. The implementation of the horsepower increase will utilize a larger tapered spacer on top of the engine’s intake manifold to enhance engine airflow, thereby increasing power.
However, NASCAR officials noted that achieving higher horsepower levels beyond 750 hp could compromise engine reliability and incur additional development costs. The horsepower increase will apply to 21 of the 38 Cup race weekends, including both exhibition races: the Cook Out Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium in North Carolina and the NASCAR All-Star Weekend at Dover Motor Speedway.
The tracks that will feature a maximum horsepower of 750 hp starting in 2026 include the following:
- Road courses: Circuit of The Americas (TX), Watkins Glen (NY), San Diego (CA), Sonoma (CA), Charlotte Roval (NC)
- Ovals: Bowman Gray Stadium (NC), Phoenix (AZ), Darlington (SC), Martinsville (VA), Bristol (TN), Dover (DE), Nashville (TN), North Wilkesboro (NC), Iowa, Richmond (VA), New Hampshire, and World Wide Technology Raceway at Gateway (IL)
Currently, most racetracks utilize horsepower levels around 670 hp, while specific tracks such as Daytona International Speedway, EchoPark Speedway, and Talladega Superspeedway operate at 510 hp. Alongside the horsepower increase, NASCAR officials plan to provide a comprehensive rules configuration and competition update briefing for the 2026 season in the offseason.
The change to higher horsepower levels is viewed as an opportunity for potential new Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) partnerships, as it may encourage new players to enter the market. Additionally, discussions about future engine architectures for OEM partners suggest a three-year development runway, indicating possible new designs and models.
Key Features of the 2026 Cup Series Horsepower Increase
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| New Horsepower Level | 750 hp |
| Current Horsepower Level | 670 hp |
| Total Cup Race Weekends Affected | 21 of the 38 weekends |
| Notable Tracks Implementing Change | Circuit of The Americas, Watkins Glen, Bowman Gray Stadium, etc. |
| Purpose of Increase | Improved throttle control, incentivized tire management, more passing opportunities |
FAQ
When did NASCAR announce the horsepower increase?
NASCAR announced the horsepower increase on October 8, 2023.
What will the new horsepower level be for the Cup Series in 2026?
The horsepower for Cup Series events will increase to 750 hp in 2026.
How is this horsepower increase significant?
This marks an increase from the current baseline horsepower of 670 hp for NASCAR’s top division.
What is the reason for this horsepower increase?
The decision comes in response to demand from drivers, the racing industry, and fans for a power boost for the Next Gen race car platform.
What tracks will have the maximum horsepower in 2026?
The tracks include Circuit of The Americas, Watkins Glen, and others for road courses and various oval tracks.
How many race weekends will this horsepower increase affect?
The horsepower increase applies to 21 of the 38 Cup race weekends.
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Additional Resources
- Frontstretch
- Wikipedia: NASCAR Cup Series
- Sports Illustrated
- Google Search: NASCAR 750 horsepower 2026
- Athlon Sports
- Google Scholar: NASCAR 750 horsepower
- FanBuzz
- Encyclopedia Britannica: NASCAR
- Daily Downforce
- Google News: NASCAR 750 horsepower 2026
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