NASCAR drivers expressed optimism about the new horsepower package. The package will be used at 20 races in the 2026 season.
CHARLOTTE, N.C. β NASCARΒ drivers hit the track for the first time in 2026 as the season looms closer.
Several teams took part in a test session at North Wilkesboro Speedway on Tuesday. The test session allowed drivers to prepare for the season. Drivers used the 750-horsepower engine package for the first time. It’s the package that will be used at road courses and oval tracks under 1.5 miles in length, which accounts for 20 races on the schedule.
North Wilkesboro will host its first points-paying NASCAR Cup Series race since 1996 on July 19 with the Window World 450. The track hosted the NASCAR All-Star Race in the previous three seasons.
The 2026 engine package increases horsepower from previous seasons. In 2025, the Cup Series implemented 670-horsepower engines.
Drivers were optimistic that the additional power would help the racing product and their teams’ respective competitiveness.
“I hope itβs for the better. I donβt see the power hurting the entertainment factor of the race,” Chase Elliott of Hendrick Motorsports said. “Hopefully, it allows us to have to peddle the cars at some point throughout a run.”
“Short tracks were somewhere [my team] needed to get better at, no matter what the package was,” Ricky Stenhouse Jr. of Hyak Motorsports said. “So, throwing in new horsepower and a different package may help us figure it out, or at least get us closer to everybody else.”
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Other drivers commended North Wilkesboro.
βWilkesboro, for one, is a very racey track,” Chirs Buescher of RFK Racing said. “The track itself lends itself to better racing.”
“[NWS] is a great facility,” Josh Berry of Wood Brothers Racing said. “Weβve seen really good turnout from the fans each time we race here and I think some solid races. Weβre excited to see it have a full-length race here β 400 laps here in the summer. I think it should put on a great show.”
Fans were also on hand to watch the test session. Those in attendance had the opportunity to buy single-day tickets for the July race. Single-day tickets go on sale for the general public on Wednesday.
The 2026 NASCAR Cup Series season officially begins with the Daytona 500 on Feb. 15, but The Clash, an exhibition race, takes place Feb. 1 at Bowman Gray Stadium.