NASCAR drivers continue to call on NASCAR to add horsepower; Here’s why
At Phoenix Raceway, NASCAR brought a shiny new rules package. The front splitter and the rear diffuser were drastically simplified with the idea of reducing impacts of dirty air while in traffic.
And after that change, most drivers claim it made only a slight difference. Meanwhile, up and down the garage, the general solution is more horsepower.
NASCAR has stated they’re open to that. But, they appear hesitant to do so.
The same NASCAR engines that are used today formerly produced 900hp. Now, they’re limited to 670hp, by the rulebook. NASCAR did that to close the gaps in the field and reduce costs yet teams have stated regularly that no costs were reduced.
NASCAR comments on adding more horsepower for short tracks
“I thought it was just a little bit better,” Kyle Larson stated via the Dale Jr Download of the new short track package used at Phoenix.
“Now, with the Next Gen car, everybody’s cars are more equal. So, it’s harder to move forward. But, I thought you could manipulate the guy in front of you, just a little bit more.”
“It was slightly better. But, it wasn’t way different. For Phoenix, I don’t really know what you can do to make it look amazing.”
NASCAR president Phelps on adding horsepower
Kyle Larson is looking for more horsepower
Like almost every driver, Kyle Larson is one of them looking for more HP.
“You difference in top speed to minimum speed would create different styles of how to get around the corner. Two, it’s just going to allow for drivers to make more mistakes. Having to lift much earlier, it makes the braking zones longer.”
“When you have that power, you can run different lines and use that horsepower to accelerate. I hope someday in my career that they can at least try it.”
“Take us to Richmond or somewhere, go test. I’ve heard the excuse of, ‘We want to keep horsepower to where other manufacturers might want to come in.’ Well, as long as I’ve been in the sport, which is longer than 10 years, it’s been the same three manufacturers.”
“Maybe somebody else is coming. And maybe they’re the ones pushing for the horsepower. But, I’ve yet to see anybody new come in.”
“All these engine builders and teams are saying it’s not going to cost any different. Our guys, ‘We could bring 1000hp, next week and it not cost any more.’ “
“They’re literally taking the engine that I won with at Vegas and making it a 1000hp engine to put in one of Rick’s personal cars that they’re building right now. So, they can do it.”
NASCAR engine builder wants more horsepower
