NASCAR’s recent decision to increase horsepower in the Next Gen Cup cars has drawn attention from across the racing world, with champion Joey Logano offering thoughtful insights into the potential impact. The adjustment, set for 2026, is viewed positively by many in the sport, and this discussion about Joey Logano on NASCAR horsepower highlights why this change is significant for teams, drivers, and fans alike.
NASCAR’s Plan for Higher Horsepower in 2026
NASCAR has announced plans to raise the engine power in Next Gen Cup cars from the current 670 horsepower to 750 horsepower for races on road courses and ovals under 1.5 miles long. This move responds to persistent requests from drivers and crew chiefs, who have sought enhanced passing ability and greater maneuverability on the track. Notably, this change will come into effect in the 2026 season.
Despite this increase, horsepower will remain at 510 for superspeedways—such as Daytona, Talladega, Michigan, Pocono, and Indianapolis—due to the unique requirements of those longer circuits. Officials have worked closely with key figures such as Joey Logano, drivers, and crew chiefs, as well as the sanctioning body officials to balance performance and safety in this update.
Joey Logano’s Perspective on the Direction of the Change
Joey Logano has offered a measured perspective on the new horsepower rules, welcoming the move as a positive development while acknowledging some limitations.
“It’s obviously not a huge bump in power [but] it’s the direction they have to go.”
– Joey Logano, Cup Champion
The planned horsepower increase will be achieved mainly by using larger tapered spacers. Logano discusses that while the modification sounds straightforward, it involves many technical considerations inside the car.
“There’s a lot of parts to that equation,”
– Joey Logano, Cup Champion
He further explained the complexity by saying,
“It’s not that simple to just take the tapered spacer off and open them up and let her eat. It sounds cool. It’s easy to say that here, but when you dig a little deeper downstream, there are a lot of things that happen to handle that, so I think directionally it’s the right way,”
– Joey Logano, Cup Champion
Larger Tapered Spacers and Goodyear’s Tire Development
Alongside engine changes, Goodyear is developing a new tire to better suit the upgraded cars. Logano has praised Goodyear’s recent efforts, noting significant differences on various racetracks in the past half year.
“I think the biggest thing that I’ve seen here recently in the last six months is what Goodyear is doing,”
– Joey Logano, Cup Champion
The introduction of a tire that wears more quickly is anticipated to work in tandem with increased horsepower. This combination could cause performance to drop off faster during races, potentially increasing the importance of tire management.
“Goodyear is bringing a tire that falls off, and we’re seeing that at a lot of different racetracks now. The horsepower will make the fall off a little bit faster. It will happen quicker. There will be more fall off with more horsepower, so it’s directionally kind of going that way, but what Goodyear is doing is the biggest part of the equation, in my opinion.”
– Joey Logano, Cup Champion
What These Changes Could Mean for NASCAR’s Future
As the sport prepares for these technical upgrades, the true effect on racing and driver sentiment remains to be seen. The adjustments in horsepower, combined with new tire technology, could change race dynamics on different tracks, influencing strategies for teams and the overall fan experience. NASCAR and key partners like Goodyear continue to monitor developments closely, aiming to create more competitive and engaging races in the coming season.
