Brad Keselowski recently revealed on Corey LaJoie’s Stacking Pennies podcast that NASCAR is likely to raise engine horsepower for the 2026 season. This possible change aligns with ongoing discussions to enhance the racing experience by increasing the power output of Next Gen cars.
Keselowski noted,
“Well, you know, it looks like NASCAR is going to change the rules next year to where we’re like 740, 750 [horsepower].”
He clarified that while the package won’t be a full 100-horsepower boost, the current output stands near 685 to 690 horsepower, slightly above the official 670 rating.
Background on NASCAR Horsepower Restrictions
Since 2015, NASCAR has gradually reduced the horsepower allowed in its engines, moving from capacities exceeding 900 towards the current cap of 670 horsepower introduced with the Next Gen car in 2022. This restriction aimed to balance performance and competition, but has drawn criticism for its impact on the racing dynamics.
Historically, NASCAR resisted increasing horsepower, citing the need to attract new manufacturers and manage costs. The current 670-horsepower limit was specifically designed to encourage participation from key automakers like Ford, Toyota, and Chevy.
NASCAR’s Competitive Priorities for Short Tracks in 2026
Elton Sawyer, NASCAR’s senior vice president of competition, has confirmed that boosting horsepower, particularly at short tracks, is a priority for the 2026 season. He explained on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio that the main challenge involves selecting which tracks would receive the increased horsepower treatment.
Sawyer said,
“We’re always trying to make our racing — whether it’s short track, road course, intermediate, superspeedway — we want to make it better. We feel like we have a really good product right now, but we want to build on that. We still have some work to do.”
He also described the complexities in defining short tracks, pointing out,
“We’ve discussed many times about horsepower on the short tracks and that’s something that’s an ongoing discussion with our industry stakeholders, Toyota, Ford and Chevy, as well as our engine builder and our race teams. Feel like we’re having positive conversations; there’s still a lot that goes into that. Obviously, that’s a 2026 initiative to get that across the line.”
Further elaborating on track classification, Sawyer noted,
“If you look at a Martinsville, you look at a Richmond — it’s pretty straightforward because that’s a short track. But then, you look at a Loudon, and Loudon is a mile, but it races like a short track, so does it fall into that same bucket? We have to look at racetracks like that — Dover — it’s a mile racetrack, but speeds are up there. Is that also in that engine package that may be on the short track? … We’re optimistic that we’re going to get there, but still a little bit more work to do on that.”
Potential Changes to NASCAR Championship Format Alongside Horsepower
In addition to the horsepower discussions, NASCAR might revisit how its season championship is decided. Jeff Gluck of The Athletic reported that the idea of a full 36-race season championship is back under consideration by the playoff committee. While the current elimination-style playoff format remains a contender, adjustments could be made to better balance competition.
Such developments point to a period of potential transformation in NASCAR, with new rules possibly altering both vehicle performance and the structure of the sport’s championship moving forward.
Implications for NASCAR’s Future Racing Landscape
With Brad Keselowski’s comments and NASCAR officials highlighting horsepower increases as a 2026 goal, the sport could see more aggressive and dynamic competition, especially at short tracks where engine power plays a critical role. These changes, paired with possible postseason format adjustments, suggest NASCAR is actively seeking to evolve its appeal and competitive structure.
Teams, manufacturers, and fans alike will be closely watching to see how these enhancements materialize, as they could significantly influence strategies and the overall excitement of NASCAR racing in coming seasons.
