Chase Elliott Exposes NASCAR’s ‘Extreme Inefficiency’ Holding Back Sport-Transforming Horsepower Solution

NASCAR has time and again rolled out new aero packages, tweaks, and ideas to counter the argument about adding horsepower to the engine. However, despite the rollout of the new short-track package at Phoenix, drivers still feel that an increase in power is the way to go forward. Given that the changes in packages haven’t proved to be efficient in adding real value to the racing events.

Sharing his two cents on the raging debate, HMS driver Chase Elliott talked in a recent interview about how NASCAR’s use of tapered spacers has been a hindrance for the drivers. Also, highlighting the fact that costs and additional parts with an increase in engine power are not major roadblocks to bringing about the pending changes.

Elliott shares his opinion about having an increase in horsepower for the Next Gen cars

Restrictor plates and tapered spacers are almost identical. The spacers are thicker than a traditional restrictor plate, thus allowing more even airflow into the engine. While it might look like a big change, its functionality remains the same: to curb the engine output, resulting in restricting the car’s speed. Elliott certainly is not an engine expert, but he does believe that an increase in horsepower will make a difference in the grand scheme of things.

Speaking in an interview ahead of the Bristol race, Elliott said, “I don’t work in the engine shop, but I do know, just from what little bit of knowledge I have on engines, is the way we run these engines with tapered spacers, we’re making them about as inefficient as you can possibly make them. These things, unrestricted, would have more power as they sit today.”

He went on to add that the additional part needed to support the bump in horsepower won’t be financially burdensome for NASCAR. “With that, you would certainly have to have different parts, I don’t think those parts would cost anymore than what they cost now if you bought the right ones to withstand that type of horsepower from a reliability standpoint. I do know that we run them extremely inefficient with spacer we put on them.”

The #9 HMS driver is running through a lean patch at the moment with his performances since last year. However, he feels that with the positives from last weekend’s preparations, the team will be looking to churn out better results at Bristol.

Elliott is optimistic that changes made to his car will lead to better results in the upcoming races

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The 2023 NASCAR Cup Series season was nothing short of a nightmare for the HMS driver. Winless throughout the campaign and missing the playoffs for the first time, it was indeed a big blow to his aspiration of repeating his heroics of the 2020 season. So far, Elliott has only managed top-20 results, with his best finish coming in Vegas. But the driver feels that his team is headed in the right direction with the improvements made to his car last weekend.

“I thought last weekend was a solid step in the right direction. We had a good Saturday. I know the Sunday didn’t go great, but you have to take those gains and enjoy them and recognize that it was a small improvement that was a big deal. It was a really good week in terms of preparation, and I thought that when we showed up for practice… Overall pace was an improvement, certainly looking forward to this weekend.”

Chase Elliott is starting fifth for the race at Bristol Motor Speedway, the best performance by any of the HMS cars in qualifying. Given how challenging the passing will be at Bristol, he will look to make the most of his starting posting to deliver a positive result.

Read More: Chase Elliott Claims “Thing’s Aren’t Just Going to Get Better” as He Navigates Tricky Drivers’ Patience in NASCAR