Rick Hendrick revealed that chevrolet/”>Chevrolet’s upcoming updates for the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series will introduce a new body designed to enhance both power and downforce, aiming to close the gap with rivals toyota/”>Toyota and ford/”>Ford. The latest upgrade, which gained final approval following comprehensive wind tunnel testing in front of other manufacturers, marks the first significant change to Chevrolet’s NASCAR setup since 2020, coinciding with the switch from the Camaro branding.
The updated Chevrolet will be unveiled to the public at the Daytona 500 next year. Reflecting on these changes, Hendrick discussed the improvements with NASCAR analyst Bob Pockrass:
“Our guys along with GM worked on this, and it’s supposedly better than what we got, so closer to what Toyota and Ford have,”
Rick Hendrick said,
“I mean, they had a shot at the Apple, you know, taking our car and getting their car better. So next year. I mean, we got to learn the car. It won’t be perfect right out of the gate. But I’m super excited about the Power and I’m excited about having a new car that we can work with. It’s got a little more downforce.”
— Rick Hendrick, Team Owner
Kyle Larson’s Strong Year Highlights Chevrolet’s Performance Gaps
Kyle Larson, the 2025 Cup Series champion, opened his season with a string of victories, yet overall speed and consistency for the Hendrick Motorsports (HMS) team trailed behind the advances of rivals Ford and Toyota during the crucial playoffs. Although HMS, fielding four cars, grappled with a lack of pace, Larson maintained his advantage by consistently finishing in the top five, notching seven such results during the playoffs. The NASCAR playoff system, which rewards wins, still allowed his consistent top finishes to secure him the title.
Hendrick Shares Views on NASCAR’s Challenging Playoff System
In a post-race session at Phoenix, Rick Hendrick commented on the challenges that teams and drivers face under NASCAR’s current playoff structure. He noted the difficulty in carrying momentum through to a championship due to the way points reset after each playoff round. This system, critics argue, prevents consistent drivers from establishing dominance as the postseason unfolds.
“I look at Denny and how good Denny’s run and he hadn’t got one. These things are really hard under these rules to win a championship. You can win all the races, you can win a ton of races, you get here, have a flat tire, things can happen. A lot of these things are out of your control,”
Rick Hendrick replied. — Rick Hendrick, Team Owner
There is rising speculation that NASCAR may soon change its playoff structure. One potential move includes extending the finale to a multi-race round rather than a single-race championship event. Additionally, a return to a full-season points format is reportedly being considered by the sanctioning body.
Format Changes and Viewership Concerns Fuel Calls for Reform
Recent seasons have seen a decline in NASCAR viewership, with many races struggling to surpass two million viewers. By contrast, the pre-playoff era generally drew larger television audiences. These numbers, coupled with criticisms of the playoff format, are providing additional momentum for possible changes.
Looking ahead, Chevrolet, led by Rick Hendrick and the Hendrick Motorsports organization, is betting that the new NASCAR-approved body, with increased horsepower and improved downforce, will put Chevrolet teams on a more level playing field with Toyota and Ford in future Cup Series seasons. The anticipated changes to both cars and competition structure reflect efforts from teams, manufacturers, and NASCAR leadership to boost the sport’s appeal and competitiveness.
I haven't seen it but with some upcoming tests of the ECU and horsepower for next year, would expect new Chevy body will be revealed soon. Here is Rick Hendrick on the change: https://t.co/r0IOpm3ZRM pic.twitter.com/6mY9fvytbj
— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) November 6, 2025
