NASCAR recently announced that it will increase horsepower on the Cup Series Next Gen car in 2026, from 670 to 750 HP, on short tracks and road courses. However, former driver Brian Keselowski has poked fun at the measure, saying his “Arca motor in 2007 made 800 hp.”
Based on driver and fan feedback, NASCAR felt the need to increase the power output on the current cars, although some still argue that drivers will hardly feel a 70-odd HP increase. Brian’s brother, Brad Keselowski, recently addressed the big problem with the Next Gen car, which forced him to change his driving style.
Now though, Brian has highlighted how the engine on his 2007 Arca Menards car made more power than today’s Next Gen car on X, suggesting how things were cheaper and better 18 years ago. He said:
“My Arca motor in 2007 made 800hp to the rear wheels, around 850hp to the fly wheel.
“Ran over a 1000miles on it to see if it was viable to make a spec engine out of.
“Cost was half the current spec engine is now…. Guess we forgot how to do that 18 years later.”
Several drivers have voiced their frustration about the Next Gen car, which likely pushed NASCAR to boost horsepower figures. But it remains to be seen how many drivers will be impressed by the move after driving the 2026 car. Brad, who is the co-owner of Roush Fenway Keselowski Racing, revealed how the current car is more difficult to drive than older cars. He said:
“Well, the Next Gen car changed me in some ways for worse as a driver because you have to drive it way differently. You know, the cars in 2008, 2009, first off, were significantly faster. I don’t know if I can put into terms how much faster they were than the Next Gen car.
“Much more difficult to drive. My first Cup start was at Texas and you could literally spin the tires off the corner. You come off a turn four and you be putting the gas pedal down on the rear tire, you know, like wind up.
“Now, you can’t spin the tires on a restart. Like you like restart. I’m in the zone. Mash it. Like, all right, here it goes. But you know what I mean? Like I’m in an old pickup truck.”