Honda Speculations Gain Strength With NASCAR Executive’s Horsepower Change Revelation

NASCAR is stepping up its technical game. The aero package debut at Phoenix Raceway was intended to ease out passing and overall car movement. Although it garnered mixed responses from drivers, Christopher Bell swerved past others with ease and claimed the checkered flag. His No. 20 Toyota broke Chevrolet’s three-win streak. In fact, the Chevrolets were pushed out of the top 10 as Toyotas and Fords dominated them in speed and horsepower. Now it seems another name is looking to enter the racetrack, as NASCAR officials seriously consider raising horsepower levels a notch.

NASCAR might lift its shutters to let in a fourth car brand

A fourth manufacturer, or OEM (original equipment manufacturer), might soon jump on the bandwagon with Chevrolet, Ford, and Toyota. In 2007, Toyota marked the last time a manufacturer entered the Cup Series, after a three-year stint in the Craftsman Truck Series.

Racing teams have complained that they could not utilize the three car manufacturers’ full potential. Demands are afoot to allow the massive power outputs of cars used in the early and mid-2010s. Now, NASCAR officials seem to aligning higher horsepower demands with the entry of Honda into the stock car racing series.

NASCAR executive Brad Moran recently talked about lifting horsepower on Sirius XM NASCAR Radio. “It’s been talked about, you know, more horsepower, tires…we get the same results when you’re done. But in changing the plate and increasing the horsepower, that sounds relatively easy to do. But once we open up the horsepower, we have to have all three manufacturers obviously on board.”

Then he let slip intentions to induct Honda into the racing scene soon: “The number we’re at seems to be where we wanna be to try to get, potentially, a new manufacturer interested”.

NASCAR Chief Racing Development Officer John Probst also set a time frame for the possible entry of the Japanese automobile company: “A timeline for a new OEM coming into our sport is somewhere in the 18- to 24-month period.”

But it may take time before the US-Japan collaboration comes to fruition. Honda & Acura Motorsports Manager Chuck Schifsky said: “As part of our role managing American Honda’s motorsports programs, we need to investigate all forms of motorsport here in the U.S., and as a part of that process, educate ourselves on what race fans are looking for.”

NASCAR is also making big strides toward a greener, more electric future of racing.

Power alternatives foraying into NASCAR races

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NASCAR’s homemade electric race car was set to debut at the Busch Light Clash before schedule changes axed the plan. However, it seems that more electric technology is on the way. McLaren has developed numerous electronic components that power cars since 2012. Now the company is pushing for more electrification to appeal to manufacturers in their pursuit of futuristic power plants.

“We’ve already awarded that contract to McLaren, who is the existing electronic supplier in the Cup Series,” Probst said. “The feedback from our team partners and the OEMs as to which direction we want to go in this case with the ECU and the electronics around the Cup cars, that was McLaren and that will launch in 2025.”

If Honda ends up making a grand entry into NASCAR, it may rewrite racing narratives across the length and breadth of the American motorsport.

Read More: The Horsepower War: Why Biggest NASCAR Superstars Are Pushing So Hard for More Power in Next Gen Era?