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The NASCAR Horsepower Controversy: Drivers Push for More Speed as the Sport Holds Back

Virgilio Machado by Virgilio Machado
January 29, 2025
in Motorsports
Reading Time: 4 mins read
0
The NASCAR Horsepower Controversy: Drivers Push for More Speed as the Sport Holds Back

Feb 19, 2024; Daytona Beach, Florida, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver Daniel Suarez (99), driver Joey Logano (22), driver Brad Keselowski (6), driver Todd Gilliland (38), driver Martin Truex Jr. (19), driver Ty Gibbs (54), driver Denny Hamlin (11) and driver Erik Jones (43) crash during the Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports

If there’s one thing that fuels NASCAR fans’ adrenaline, it’s pure, unfiltered speed. The thunderous roar of high-horsepower stock cars tearing down the track at breakneck velocity has always been the lifeblood of the sport. But in recent years, NASCAR has consistently dialed down the horsepower, leaving many drivers and fans questioning whether the essence of the sport is being lost.

Now, veteran driver Brad Keselowski has reignited the debate, sharing a rare documentary that gives fans a firsthand look at the raw power and blistering speeds of NASCAR’s past.

From 1000 HP to 670 HP: The Decline of NASCAR’s Power

Once upon a time, NASCAR cars boasted a monstrous 1000 horsepower, with drivers battling to control these high-speed beasts on the track. Over time, that number has been systematically reduced—first to 900 HP, then to 750 HP in 2015, and ultimately plummeting to 550 HP.

The introduction of the Next Gen cars in 2022 slightly bumped the figure to 670 HP, but many drivers still argue that NASCAR has taken away too much of the raw power that once made the sport so exhilarating.

While drivers push for more horsepower, NASCAR has stood firm on its decision, citing cost concerns and a desire to keep the sport appealing to potential new engine manufacturers. The governing body believes that higher horsepower would increase expenses for teams and make it harder for newcomers to enter the sport.

But many drivers—including Brad Keselowski, Denny Hamlin, Joey Logano, and Tyler Reddick—aren’t buying that excuse.

Brad Keselowski’s Nostalgic Look at NASCAR’s High-Horsepower Days

Taking to X (formerly Twitter), Keselowski shared a documentary that captures the true power of NASCAR’s past, giving fans an inside look at what it was like to pilot these beasts before the horsepower cuts.

“So cool, great find! Backstory on this, I was filming something for the Speed Channel and saw the president (Hunter) in the hallway. After a brief conversation, I asked him if one day he could show qualifying from an in-car camera to shake it up a little. He didn’t say much but sure enough, a week or two later there it was…”

Keselowski’s excitement was clear as he reflected on a time when NASCAR cars were significantly harder to drive, requiring raw skill and control:

“So glad this film exists now in the public forum as everyone can now see how these cars were real beasts to drive, especially qualifying at Charlotte Motor Speedway. This may be the only existing full lap onboard of qualifying from that era.”

Drivers Push Back: “More Horsepower = Better Racing”

Keselowski isn’t alone in his frustration. Other top drivers have echoed his sentiment, arguing that restoring more horsepower could drastically improve racing by putting more control back into the hands of the drivers.

  • Denny Hamlin has been vocal about the need for more power, explaining how it would naturally create better overtaking opportunities:
    “The more you can get us out of the gas, which means if we have more horsepower, we have to let off sooner, that gives us the opportunity to overtake for the cars behind. Fifty horsepower, while it may not be a game changer, any horsepower gain will be an advantage for passing.”
  • Tyler Reddick even conducted his own horsepower experiment during a practice session with 23XI Racing, testing what an additional 150 HP would do to the car’s handling and racing dynamics:
    “A couple of months ago just for fun I asked some of the guys at 23XI. There is a weird knob we can work on to basically increase the power of the car by 150 horsepower. Didn’t really change it much. I think you’d need to be above 1000 horsepower to like, really move that needle.”

The Future of NASCAR’s Speed: Will the Sport Listen?

As the horsepower debate rages on, NASCAR remains resistant to change, prioritizing cost control and manufacturer interest over fan and driver demands.

However, with veteran stars like Keselowski and Hamlin leading the charge, the push for a return to high-horsepower racing isn’t going away anytime soon. Fans and drivers alike are eager to see NASCAR embrace its roots once again—where speed, power, and raw talent defined the sport.

The question is: Will NASCAR listen? Or will the era of high-speed stock car racing become nothing more than a memory?

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