NASCAR has introduced a 750-horsepower package for selected tracks, reigniting the power output debate.

Power and speed have been the core of NASCAR’s identity, pulling fans across generations to the thrill of stock car racing.

Horsepower output has been a major concern for racers and fans since late Gen-6 cars, where most packages ranged from 550 to 750 hp, depending on the length of the track.

In a recent conversation with Frontstretch, many NASCAR drivers, including the RFK’s racing star Ryan Preece, gave their opinions on the new package that NASCAR implemented for shorter tracks and road courses.

“As much as it is 750 with the next-gen car, I think it’s 750 with the tire drag that we have with these tires,” Ryan said. “I’m really curious to see where that goes throughout the run.”

The average practice time for a track is around 25 minutes. Ryan believes the teams could manage around 15 laps on a course like COTA, where the drivers “might see something” with the new car setup.

"I think the guys are going to have their hands full,” Preece said.

With a limited number of laps, the teams have very little room for experimentation. A road course like COTA requires very careful throttle application.

With the increase in power output, even a small error could result in a big issue. The 750-horsepower package rolled out during COTA practice sessions on March 1, 2026, with the Cup Series race delivering the real test today.

The speculation around the improvements was settled on race day.

The Real Test of 750 Horsepower at COTA

Circuit of the Americas (COTA) is one of NASCAR’s toughest technical tracks, where every corner and throttle input matters. This makes COTA the perfect venue to test out the 750-horsepower package.

During the race, the added horsepower made acceleration zones aggressive, requiring drivers to be more precise during corner exits, especially on the new, softer Goodyear tires introduced for road courses this year.

With the first official Cup Series event featuring the upgraded package, Tyler Reddick took the win by efficiently using the added power, leading 42 of 68 laps and sweeping both stages at COTA.

Comparing the best lap leaderboards from the previous year at COTA, the fastest lap in 2026 was just 0.01 seconds quicker than in 2025.

The difference suggests that Preece’s warning was not just about the upgrade but about how the drivers used it.

Written by

Pulkit Prabhav

Edited by

Kaamna Dwivedi