An increase in horsepower is scheduled for NASCAR Cup Series vehicles at all road courses and ovals less than 1.5 miles in length starting in the 2026 season, stirring anticipation among teams and fans alike. Ricky Stenhouse Jr. shared his NASCAR reaction ahead of the significant rules shift, which will undergo its first real test on January 13 at the 0.625-mile North Wilkesboro Speedway.
This modification will impact 17 tracks on the Cup Series schedule and marks a pivotal update for the future of racing competition. North Wilkesboro Speedway, a historic venue, will host a five-hour test session to evaluate these changes before its first points-paying Cup Series race in nearly three decades, set for July 19.
Stenhouse Jr.’s Perspective on the Rule Update
During an appearance on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, Ricky Stenhouse Jr., driver of the No. 47 Chevrolet for HYAK Motorsports, offered insights into the potential outcomes of the horsepower enhancement. He expressed measured optimism about what lies ahead, emphasizing both hope and restraint in his expectations.
“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.”
According to Stenhouse Jr., while the change isn’t anticipated to produce dramatic shifts instantly, he believes it represents a progressive adjustment that could refine the racing experience. He will be among several drivers, including 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, participating in the public test session at North Wilkesboro. This assembly of competitors suggests a thorough assessment of the new standard under real conditions.
Tire Fall-Off Could Further Impact Racing Quality
Stenhouse Jr. also addressed another factor influencing on-track competition since the debut of NASCAR’s Next-Gen car in 2022: tire performance, specifically tire fall-off. He pointed to recent improvements from tire supplier Goodyear, noting how increased horsepower could compound tire wear, especially at venues like Richmond.
“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.”
Stenhouse Jr. suggests that as tire wear intensifies under the new horsepower conditions, race strategy and outcomes may evolve, potentially enhancing the competitive nature at select tracks. This aligns with a wider industry push for more dynamic, engaging events following mixed reviews of the Next-Gen era’s initial seasons.
What Lies Ahead for NASCAR Teams and Fans
The January 13 test at North Wilkesboro Speedway, attended by a cross-section of Cup Series drivers—such as Josh Berry, Chris Buescher, Daniel Suarez, Chase Briscoe, Cole Custer, Cody Ware, Erik Jones, Kyle Busch, Ross Chastain, AJ Allmendinger, Chase Elliott, Joey Logano, Zane Smith, and Tyler Reddick—will provide valuable data on the real-world effects of increased power and evolving tire dynamics. Spectators, teams, and organizational partners like Goodyear and Chevrolet will be watching closely to measure the rule’s impact ahead of its official implementation in 2026.
As NASCAR continues refining its approach, feedback from drivers like Ricky Stenhouse Jr. and input from organizations such as HYAK Motorsports, the National Motorsports Press Association, and Goodyear will influence further changes. Public test sessions and the upcoming race at North Wilkesboro promise to serve as important milestones in the ongoing evolution of the NASCAR Cup Series, offering hints at how both competition and spectacle might improve in future seasons.
