Kyle Larson on horsepower increase has become a central topic ahead of the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series season, following the announcement that Next-Gen cars will receive a horsepower boost at specific tracks. While this decision reflects long-standing community requests, Larson, the 2021 Cup Series champion, cautions against expecting dramatic results from this adjustment.
Kyle Larson Expresses Cautious Optimism About Power Boost
NASCAR confirmed that the Next-Gen cars’ horsepower will rise from 670 to 750 for selected events in 2026, a move many fans and drivers, including Kevin Larson, have pushed for since the cars’ initial launch. Yet, when questioned before the Las Vegas weekend, Kyle Larson offered a nuanced perspective. He acknowledged the increased power was positive, but emphasized the need for realistic expectations, warning both fans and media not to exaggerate the potential impact.
He said,
Well, I mean, I think it’s, I’m happy. 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?
Kyle Larson said ahead of Las Vegas race (Via On3.com).
Larson explained that while he appreciates the move by the sanctioning body, he does not believe the adjustment is significant enough to address the deeper performance concerns surrounding the Next-Gen vehicle. He spoke openly about his own experience at a recent test, explaining that he was unaware of the horsepower change at the time, suggesting that any difference created by the new configuration was minimal.
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?
Kyle Larson added.
This comment reflects a persistent sentiment among experienced racers like the veteran champion: modest technical tweaks, even when long desired, may fall short of transforming the competition or solving persistent challenges in the Cup Series.
Joey Logano Offers Additional Insights on Recent Changes
Fellow Cup Series champion Joey Logano from Team Penske Racing echoed several of Larson’s concerns, shifting the focus from engine changes to tire dynamics as a more influential factor in recent racing improvements. Logano pointed out that, while many are discussing horsepower, it is actually tire management and Goodyear’s introduction of higher-wear tires that are playing a bigger role in altering race strategy and quality, especially at short tracks.
I think the biggest thing that I’ve seen here recently in the last six months is what Goodyear is doing. Goodyear is bringing a tire that falls off and we’re seeing that at a lot of different racetracks now.
Joey Logano said.
This perspective suggests that recent gains in Cup Series racing have more to do with changes in tire degradation than in raw horsepower, with tire falloff creating more strategic racing, greater variability, and the potential for more overtaking opportunities. Logano’s view broadens the debate, redirecting some of the attention from the engine package to other technical aspects controlled by organizations like Goodyear.
Implications for the NASCAR Cup Series Community
As the 2026 NASCAR season approaches, the conversation around technical adjustments—like the horsepower boost—will likely continue among drivers, teams, and fans. While the incremental increase in power responds to calls by the community and veterans such as Kyle Larson, it remains clear that solutions to the Next-Gen car’s competitive issues are varied and interconnected, involving key entities like NASCAR, Goodyear, and racing teams.
The debate highlighted by Kyle Larson on horsepower increase and echoed by Joey Logano underscores the complexities of improving racing dynamics. Changes in equipment, rules, or tire compounds may offer enhancements, but no single adjustment is expected to transform the entire Cup Series experience. For now, the racing world watches to see how these shifts will impact performance at tracks in Las Vegas, Kershaw, and beyond, awaiting the next chapter for NASCAR and its top competitors.
