NASCAR fans have a number of pet hates in 2025, and the Next Gen car might be near the very top of the list.

That’s quite the call when you consider just how much the current playoff system is loathed, and how little fans care for a TV deal which sees so many races air on networks they’ve never heard of.

But yes, the Next Gen car is right up there, with some fans and analysts alike blaming it for what they believe is substandard racing in comparison to the sport’s ‘glory years’.

Not everybody is down on it though, and clearly we can number NASCAR Commissioner Steve Phelps among the cheerleaders.

He reffed the car during his state of the nation speech during the recent Championship weekend in Phoenix. And to say it got a favorable mention would be a massive understatement.

Steve Phelps on the Next Gen car

When speaking about what he believes are the positives for teams heading towards 2026 and beyond, in the context of that pending court date with Michael Jordan’s 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports, he claimed:

“Over $3bn in guaranteed payments to the teams. Enterprise value that is roughly $1.5bn now to the race teams.

“Guaranteed starting positions each week, which allow teams to sell sponsorship on the best billboards in sports - the Next Gen car.”

Wait, say that again, the Next Gen car is “the best billboard in sports”? That is quite the statement, when you compare the other options available to advertisers in a hyper-competitive US market.

More horsepower for 2026 and beyond

We can absolutely agree with NASCAR on one thing - the new move towards bigger horsepower is a step in the right direction when it comes to the much-maligned car.

From 2026 and beyond, the cars will carry more horsepower - but only at shorter tracks. The power will go up from 670 and 750 at the following locations.

Road courses: Circuit of The Americas, Watkins Glen, San Diego, Sonoma, Charlotte Roval.

Ovals: Bowman Gray Stadium, Phoenix, Darlington, Martinsville, Bristol, Dover, Nashville, North Wilkesboro, Iowa, Richmond, New Hampshire, World Wide Technology Raceway at Gateway.

Of course some fans still say it is not enough - with 'band aid on a bullet wound" summing up the feelings of many. But, you have to start somewhere, and this is a start.