2020 Cup Series champion Chase Elliott has offered his first impression on new horsepower rules introduced by NASCAR ahead of the 2026 campaign.

Amid growing demands from fans, drivers and media alike, NASCAR confirmed last October that horsepower limits would rise from 670 to 750 at road courses and oval tracks less than 1.5 miles this upcoming Cup Series campaign.

On Tuesday, the cars hit the track at North Wilkesboro Speedway for the first time to test out the new rules, among a host of other things, with one driver from each chartered organization having been present.

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Chase Elliott on increased horsepower

Elliott was Hendrick Motorsports' representative on the day, and speaking after his time on track, he had a positive first impression of the changes.

“I don’t see the power hurting the entertainment factor of the race, and hopefully it allows us to have to pedal the cars at some point throughout a run,” the 2020 Cup Series champion said.

“There’s a lot of grip out there today, I feel like, but even by the end of 40 laps, there’s a good bit of fall-off, even for the temperatures that we have today. So I would have to imagine you come back here in the summer months … certainly it’ll be warmer than it is today, and kind of combine that with more cars being on the track, I do think there’ll be some wear.

"Then obviously the power will impact that another step as well. So I feel like the tire changes that Goodyear made last year were some really good steps in the right direction, and hopefully we just kind of keep inching up on making these long runs more of a challenge.”

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NASCAR heading in 'right direction'

Elliott's Cup Series rival Ricky Stenhouse Jr. was in agreement after he took part in the test, leaving nobody in any doubt as to his stance on Cup Series cars being handed more horsepower.

“The more horsepower, the better, yes,” he said. “I think if we can continue in that direction.

"Goodyear’s continuing to do a good job of bringing us tires that wear out, and they’re continuing to evolve that. I think all of us, drivers and teams, are on board with that.

"So you pair that with NASCAR adding horsepower, I think everybody in the garage has been on board, but I think everything’s going the right direction to get us even better racing.”

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Which tracks will NASCAR cars have more horsepower?

Here is the full list of tracks where horsepower will be increased from 670 to 750 in the 2026 Cup Series.

Road Courses

  • Circuit of the Americas
  • Watkins Glen International
  • San Diego Road Course
  • Sonoma Raceway
  • Charlotte Motor Speedway ROVAL

Ovals

  • Bowman Gray Stadium
  • Phoenix Raceway
  • Darlington Raceway
  • Martinsville Speedway
  • Bristol Motor Speedway
  • Dover Motor Speedway
  • Nashville Superspeedway
  • North Wilkesboro Speedway
  • Iowa Speedway
  • Richmond Raceway
  • New Hampshire Motor Speedway
  • World Wide Technology Raceway