Kyle Larson warns media and fans to ‘temper’ expectations for increased horsepower

Next season, a bulk of race tracks are getting horsepower increases in the NASCAR Cup Series. Kyle Larson is warning folks. The Hendrick Motorsports driver doesn’t want to see the minor change get hyped into something that it isn’t able to deliver.

From 670 horsepower to 750 horsepower – is that enough to improve short track and road course racing? We will have to wait and see. But from what most drivers and crew chiefs are saying, it will likely be marginal.

Kyle Larson was asked about the horsepower increase. He wants the media and fans to just keep expectations low.

“Well, I mean, I think it’s, I’m happy,” Larson said in a media scrum at Las Vegas. “I think it’s definitely a step, probably in the right direction, or a better direction. I don’t know if right direction is right. Yeah, I think – I’m happy. I would encourage you all and fans to like, not overpromote it like it’s going to fix everything, you know?

“So, I would encourage everybody to temper their expectations, like, it’s not way different. I did a test recently at Kershaw, and nobody told me I had higher horsepower, and I never really realized it. So, yeah, I wouldn’t say it’s going to feel different or look crazy different. I think it will be better, but it’s not going to fix everything, you know?”

So, Kyle Larson didn’t even notice an increase in power. That is not very promising, if you ask me. Fans are going to want to get excited about the change. It is something that everyone has asked for for three years. But the modest increase might not be enough to live up to anyone’s expectations.

Kyle Larson didn’t notice increase, will fans?

If Kyle Larson didn’t know he had more horsepower in his car, will fans notice anything on the track? Perhaps the tires will wear down a little quicker. You might get more mechanical issues or drivers getting loose in the corners. But is it going to save short tracks and road courses?

The horsepower increase has been talked about for so long. Let’s just see how it goes and then convene to judge it after all of that. If we can find a way to get that horsepower to actually matter, or perhaps show that a further increase is needed, will it save the short tracks for the Cup Series?

I am concerned that Kyle Larson didn’t think it mattered much. That doesn’t bode well for fans who were hoping this was the answer to making the 2026 season better than the 2025 season.