NASCAR is considering a modest horsepower increase for its Next Gen cars, aiming to reignite excitement on the track. However, Joey Logano, the two-time Cup Series champion and driver of the No. 22 car for Team Penske, has voiced strong concerns that this small adjustment will not be enough to restore the intensity fans and drivers want.
Ahead of the Cracker Barrel 400, Logano openly shared his opinion regarding NASCAR’s plan to add approximately 60 to 70 horsepower to the Next Gen vehicles. Although this increase is an improvement, he believes it won’t drastically change the overall racing experience.
“I think it’s directionally better. I don’t think it’s gonna be game-changing, but I do think it’s the right way,”
Logano told Frontstretch.
“If you’re talking about adding back to 950 horsepower, I’m gonna say something different. We’re talking about adding 60-70 horsepower. Yeah, it’s not gonna be much, right, but it’s definitely cool.”
Logano’s frustration reflects a wider sentiment among drivers and fans alike, who argue that the current Next Gen cars’ restrictive aerodynamics and low horsepower have made short-track racing less thrilling. Once chaotic and fiercely competitive, several recent races have felt subdued, with limited passing and little close-quarters battling on the track.
Logano Pushes for a Comprehensive Solution Beyond Incremental Horsepower Gains
The challenge, Logano explains, is that simply adding horsepower does not automatically solve the problem and could lead to new technical difficulties. Increasing engine power requires reinforcing other critical components like the drivetrain, transmissions, and rear ends, which may increase costs and complicate the current setup.
“I also think there’s a lot of pieces that have to go together to make all that work, right,”
Logano said.
“Like not just the engine, but the drivetrain, all like it’s got to be beefed up more, there’s added cost to some other things, too… maybe we need to start thinking about some other pieces to that.”
For smaller teams working with tighter budgets, these changes could present serious financial challenges. NASCAR has been balancing the need to enhance racing quality while maintaining affordability. At the same time, the sport faces additional pressures from longer-term plans involving hybrid technology and alternative fuels, adding further complexity to any modifications.
Yet Logano’s arguments are not just complaints—they are calls for meaningful progress. He emphasizes the importance of listening to drivers who have firsthand experience racing the cars weekly. If NASCAR fails to address these concerns with real, effective changes, the sport risks losing the dynamic competition that makes it compelling.