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Chevrolet’s New Cup Series Car Gets Green Light for Daytona 2026

Originally posted on Athlon Sports
By Gowtham Ramalingam | Last updated Oct 2, 2025 4:14 AM ET

When Toyota and Ford rolled out upgraded cars for the 2024 NASCAR Cup Series season, Chevrolet chose to stick with its proven Camaro ZL1 1LE design. The decision paid off, with the bowtie brigade delivering strong results these last two years. But now, the time has come for Chevy to raise the heat with a brand new body.

NASCAR official Elton Sawyer confirmed during an interview with "SiriusXM NASCAR Radio" on Tuesday that the carmaker has completed the process of developing a new car body and received the necessary approvals for the same.

He said, "We started working back with the folks there at GM probably over a year or so ago. They started submitting the body parts, and then they go to a wind tunnel test where all the OEMs, our original equipment manufacturers, are there and watch how that test unfolds at the wind tunnel."

"So, all the boxes have been checked and looking forward to seeing the new Chevrolet when we get to Daytona in 2026." Although he points to the Daytona 500 for the reveal, the car could be spotted during tests prior to the big event. It is unsure to what extent Chevy has changed the current body.

Introducing our 2020 @NASCAR Cup Series car, the Camaro ZL1 1LE. Based on the fastest, most track-capable production #Camaro ever, it’ll make its competition debut next February during Daytona Speedweeks, which opens the 2020 #NASCAR season. pic.twitter.com/urcv7ruvgZ
— Chevrolet Racing (@TeamChevy) October 31, 2019

Could the new Camaro debut with increased horsepower?

Brad Keselowski stated on a recent episode of the "Stacking Pennies" podcast that NASCAR is looking to increase the horsepower in the Next Gen car. The cars currently carry 670 HP in their engines. This could increase to 740 HP or 750 HP, according to the RFK Racing team owner.

What Sawyer had to say about this earlier this year was, "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."

He also underlined that the discussions have been highly positive thus far. This spells a great deal of optimism for the drivers and fans who have been demanding more horsepower. It remains to be seen when the increase will be implemented.

A new playoff system and a car with higher horsepower in 2026 will be everything that NASCAR fans have been dreaming of.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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