Kevin Harvick reacts to NASCAR boosting horsepower in 2026

In 2026, NASCAR is upping the horsepower at a number of race tracks. Kevin Harvick has some skepticism. Harvick has been asking for more horsepower since he was still driving these cars. So, it is interesting to hear his perspective now that an increase is on the horizon.

Kevin Harvick and Denny Hamlin have been two very prominent voices in the more horsepower club. There are a lot of drivers who have also joined that crusade over the last two years or so.

This week, on Harvick’s Happy Hour podcast, the horsepower change was brought up. The Cup Series champion likes that it is being done, but is worried it won’t really do all that much to the racing.

“Well, I think that I’m happy that they did it. I think it’s at least a step in the right direction,” Harvick explained. “I think that listening to the feedback from the drivers, they don’t notice the difference in the power. Which, it’s 80 horsepower, on paper. So, 80 horsepower, and I think that says a lot about the amount of increase that it actually needs.

“Now, there’s the counterargument for how much it would cost for everybody to go more horsepower than this. So, my hope is that they’re looking to go more horsepower down the road as they look at how things evolve. But I don’t think we’ll – I’m happy that we did it. Kudos to them for giving the cars more horsepower. I don’t want to knock it. But I don’t think anyone will notice.”

Kevin Harvick is right – good increase, but more needed

Even though he isn’t calling races right now, Kevin Harvick is still a vocal personality in the sport. His knowledge of racing and his love for it make his perspective one worth listening to. Agreeing a bit with Kyle Larson’s words last week, Harvick doesn’t want this increase to get made into something it is not.

Let’s be honest, we are going from 670 to 750. It isn’t like we are unleashing the full potential of these engines. It’s not the 900-1000 horsepower that many fans would like to see.

When next season rolls around, we are going to see how this horsepower increase looks in real life. There are simulations and tests, but you really don’t know until you put 40 cars on the track and let them go. Kevin Harvick isn’t going to hold his breath for anything spectacular, and neither am I.