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Starting in 2026, the NASCAR world will see a major change in how Cup Series races unfold, thanks to increased power output on short tracks. Throughout 2025, one of the most persistent demands from fans has been for more horsepower, and the sport is finally delivering.
While the decision marks a significant win for the NASCAR community, Kyle Larson has a stern warning for anyone expecting the change to be a magic bullet for the quality of racing.
Why Is Kyle Larson Warning Against Overhyping NASCAR’s Power Increase?
Ever since the 2025 season began, the state of Cup Series racing has often been a dismal sight for fans, particularly because of a shortage of power on the track. A major factor behind this has been the limited output of the cars, which restricts the capabilities of the current 5.9-liter pushrod V8 engine. Although some exciting moments have been sprinkled throughout the campaign, few have stemmed from the raw speed on display.
Taking fans’ complaints into consideration, NASCAR decided to increase the power output from 670bhp to 750bhp on tracks less than 1.5 miles long, beginning next year. However, despite the 80bhp uptick, Larson does not want the media to overhype the change. Although he understands that the step is in the right direction, the former Cup Series champion remains adamant that the increase will have little impact on the race quality. Therefore, he does not want the NASCAR media to oversell it.
“I hope you (media) guys don’t promote the s*** out of it like it’s going to fix everything, because it’s not way different,” Larson said. (Via Jeff Gluck on X)
Larson’s blunt words for the media come shortly after a track testing session in Kershaw, where he drove a car with the added horsepower. To the Hendrick Motorsports driver’s surprise, he was not told about the change beforehand and never realized it on his own. That experience is why Larson wants people to temper their expectations, as he believes the racing will feel hardly any different from how it is now.
Notably, the short-track power increase is the first phase of a larger implementation plan proposed by NASCAR. If this initial phase produces positive results, the authorities will then bring the change to longer oval tracks. However, if the plan fails to improve the racing, it will return to the sanctioning body’s drawing board.
