NASCAR is reportedly considering raising the engine horsepower limits on short tracks, potentially as soon as this season, sparking widespread driver support. The current maximum horsepower on these tracks is capped at 670 HP, but discussions suggest an increase to somewhere between 720 and 750 HP to enhance cars’ passing capabilities.
The Debate Over How Much More Power to Add
While the proposed jump is significant, some drivers advocate pushing horsepower even higher—up to 800 HP or beyond. A few have expressed more ambitious ideas, imagining power levels reaching 1,000 HP. Despite these opinions, the final decision will hinge on balancing performance with durability and reliability for the race engines involved.
Chase Elliott Highlights the Importance of Manufacturer Consensus
Chase Elliott, the 2020 NASCAR Cup Series champion, emphasized that gaining agreement among the three engine manufacturers—Chevrolet, Ford, and Toyota—will be crucial to any horsepower increase. He pointed out that each manufacturer tends to pursue its own advantages, making a unanimous decision challenging.
I think it’d be worth a shot if the engine manufacturers are willing to do it,
Elliott said during a weekend event in Nashville. He added that manufacturers will ultimately determine how much power can be safely added without sacrificing engine longevity and reliability.
Throughout my career, it’s like Chevrolet might want one thing, Toyota might want something else, and Ford might want something different. And everybody kind of plays to their strengths as to what they think they have their leg up on. That’s just a game,
Elliott explained, describing the negotiating dynamics among manufacturers.
So you’re going to have to get all of them to agree, which in my view, is going to be a difficult thing to do. But hopefully they can, and everybody’s willing to give it a shot somewhere just to see if it makes a difference. It might not do anything, but it might really help. And until you try, I don’t know that you really have an answer,
he concluded.
Other Drivers Join the Call for More Power
Chase Elliott is not alone in his enthusiasm for increased horsepower. Drivers such as Bubba Wallace, Josh Berry, and AJ Allmendinger have also voiced their hopes that NASCAR will soon approve more powerful engines for short tracks. They believe that added horsepower could improve overtaking opportunities and overall race excitement.
Potential Impact and What Lies Ahead
If NASCAR proceeds with the horsepower increase, the move could reshape competition on short tracks by allowing cars to have stronger acceleration and higher speeds, improving the spectacle for fans. However, the challenge of coordinating a unified approach between Chevrolet, Ford, and Toyota remains a significant hurdle. The manufacturers’ willingness to collaborate will determine whether this change can be implemented effectively and whether it will achieve the desired results.