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Why NASCAR Settled on 750 HP for 2026 — And Not 1,000 HP

Originally posted on Athlon Sports
By Gowtham Ramalingam | Last updated Oct 9, 2025 7:56 AM ET

Highlights

NASCAR confirms 750 HP engines for the 2026 season on tracks under 1.5 miles.
Steve O’Donnell cites cost control and future engine plans as key reasons for the limit.
Offseason tests at North Wilkesboro will set the stage for the higher horsepower.

NASCAR fans have demanded more horsepower in the Next Gen car for a long time. But Steve O'Donnell believes that there are limits to how far the sport can go right now. The NASCAR President announced on the "Dale Jr. Download" podcast that the horsepower in the Next Gen car will be increased from 670 HP to 750 HP in 2026.

This increase will be implemented on tracks less than 1.5 miles. So, why choose to limit the cars to 750 HP? Because pushing beyond that number would result in a $40-50 million expense to the industry, O'Donnell says. The current move aligns the existing manufacturers, Toyota, Ford, and Chevrolet, while allowing new ones to enter the sport.

He explained, "Our job is to think about the out-years. We’re looking at Dodge coming into the sport, and potentially other OEMs like Honda, along with our current partners. The existing manufacturers — Toyota, Chevrolet, and Ford — like the current engine and don’t want to make a change unless we’re going to stick with it."

NASCAR Cup Series driver Daniel Suarez (99) leads a pack of cars during the Mobil 1 301 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.Eric Canha-Imagn Images

NASCAR's plan is to change to a new engine architecture after three years. The increase to 750 HP can be managed with the current architecture. But pushing beyond that would result in considerably higher expenses for the current manufacturers, only to change it all again in three years, and hence, their reluctance.

He continued, "We didn’t want to jump to 1,000 horsepower now and then change everything again in three years. That would cost hundreds of millions to the industry."

When Can the 750 HP Cars Be Seen on Track?

To check the new horsepower package, NASCAR will carry out test sessions in the offseason. The first of them will be at the North Wilkesboro Speedway. O'Donnell said that drivers, including Christopher Bell and Joey Logano, will participate in this test alongside technical personnel from Toyota, Ford, and Chevrolet.

Goodyear, too, will be a part of the test. The goal is to balance the power in the engine with the aerodynamics and tire grip before making 750 HP the new standard on tracks under 1.5 miles.

While many fans were hoping to see the return of the spectacular 900 HP era, the president's explanation makes it clear that this is a carefully curated step and not a compromise of any sort. NASCAR appears to be playing the long game by stabilizing expenses and maintaining manufacturer confidence.

It is also laying the groundwork for a new generation of engine architecture. 750 HP might not silence every naysayer, but it showcases a significant shift towards a brighter future for the sport.

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

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