Home/NASCAR

via Imago

via Imago

There’s no harm in admitting that the NASCAR Cup Series races are no longer as entertaining as they once were. And the reduction in horsepower might be the biggest reason for it. After realizing that the 550 horsepower package has ruined the races for several years, NASCAR finally announced that the cars will run at a 670 horsepower package. But is 670 enough?

It’s true that the decision of horsepower is affected by driver safety concerns. However, at the same time, many drivers have been requesting an overall increase in speed in order to bring back the thrill of the sport. And since then, constant debates surrounding the topic have made it to the headlines on multiple occasions.

Drivers like Tyler Reddick and Denny Hamlin had earlier suggested that an increase in speed might help make the races less predictable and, hence, more entertaining. Moreover, champion Richard Petty said “I feel sorry for the drivers that have to drive right now,” due to the lack of horsepower in today’s cars.

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

What does Chase Elliott think about the changes in horsepower

Earlier this year, NASCAR announced their latest aerodynamic rules package that was aimed at increasing the car speed by reducing the downforce by almost 30%. While asking Chase Elliott and Christopher Bell about the effects of the aero changes, a Loose is Fast Podcast reporter questioned if a change in horsepower can make a difference.

To this, Hendrick Motorsports driver Chase Elliott replied, “Yeah no, no. It’s not gonna change it a whole lot. I don’t think. Not unless they narrow the tire or something or take 3 or 4 inches off of the width of the tire. No, probably not in my opinion.”

via Imago

Furthermore, he added that a drastic shift like an engine change cannot shrink the tire. He feels like certain other physical changes to the car might be the best way to go about it.

WATCH THIS STORY: Christopher Bell Reveals the Reason Behind His Heated Discussion With “Mad” Bubba Wallace in Vegas

But Christopher Bell has a different take on it

Trending

“My Body Needed Time”: Tony Stewart’s Wife, Leah, Discloses Her Roadblocks to Motherhood Amid Racing Dilemma

NASCAR Insider Urges Rick Hendrick to Rope In ‘Next Kyle Larson’ After $100,000 Win

Toyota Eyeing Complete Australian Takeover Amid Kyle Busch’s Failed Supercars Ambition

Joe Gibbs Racing Potentially Blocking Truck Series Phenom on Denny Hamlin’s Radar After On-Track Bad Blood

Despite Multi-Million Expansion, Ex-Dale Earnhardt Insider Exits Trackhouse in Shock NASCAR Move

Sitting right beside Chase Elliott, Joe Gibbs Racing driver Christopher Bell shared his take on the controversial horsepower debate.

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

Disagreeing with Elliott’s opinions, Bell said, “Yeah, I guess from my standpoint, everything that we’re doing is just a bandaid for the gutless engines that we have today. So, we keep taking downforce out because we try and get less grip in the cars. But if we put horsepower in it and I don’t think we’d had any problems today that we have.”

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

Just like the two, fans and drivers across the sport are divided on the issue of the Next Gen cars’ horsepower. However, almost everyone would agree that the sport is in need of more speed. After all, there is a reason why the governing body has been working so hard on the aero packages and other ways to improve car speed.

READ MORE: Denny Hamlin Proposes an F1-Inspired “Hybrid Technology” Idea to Solve NASCAR’s Horsepower Crisis