Ricky Stenhouse Jr.: NASCAR horsepower increase at short tracks won't be 'earth shattering'

One of the biggest rule changes going into the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series season is a highly anticipated increase in horsepower for Cup Series vehicles at all road courses and ovals less than 1.5 miles in length. 

The change, which will affect 17 tracks on the Cup Series schedule in 2026, will be under the microscope for the first time at the 0.625-mile North Wilkesboro Speedway during a five-hour long Jan. 13 testing session. North Wilkesboro is set to host its first points-paying Cup Series race in nearly 30 years on July 19. 

What Ricky Stenhouse Jr. said about rules change

Cup Series driver Ricky Stenhouse Jr., who drives the No. 47 Chevrolet for HYAK Motorsports, is one of the drivers who will participate in the Jan. 13 test. During an appearance on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio on Friday, Stenhouse Jr. was asked about the horsepower increase and what he thinks its impact will be. 

"I'm looking forward to the horsepower," Stenhouse Jr. said. "Hoping it's in the right direction. I don't think it's going to be earth-shattering different. But I think it's gonna be in the right direction." 

Stenhouse Jr. then pointed out another variable that could further improve the racing product at short tracks moving forward, which has largely suffered since the advent of NASCAR's Next-Gen car in 2022. 

"We're starting to see Goodyear get us more tire fall-off at places," Stenhouse Jr. said. "At a Richmond, you throw some more horsepower in there, the tire wear is going to be more, I think the racing's going to be better. All in all, everything we're doing is in the right direction."

In addition to Stenhouse Jr., Ross Chastain, Kyle Busch, Daniel Suarez, Chase Elliott, AJ Allmendinger, Chris Buescher, Chase Briscoe, Josh Berry, Joey Logano, Zane Smith, Cole Custer, Erik Jones, Tyler Reddick and Cody Ware will participate in the Jan. 13 test session at North Wilkesboro. The session is open to the public. 

Quotes provided by SiriusXM Radio.