“Masked by Horse Power”: Christopher Bell Sets His Expectations Straight for Phoenix Test With Blatant Truth About NASCAR’s Antics

Over the past several months, fans, insiders, and drivers have had one main demand from NASCAR—more horsepower. However, the organizers have not given any indication that they are willing to go that way, at least not publicly. With their requests falling on deaf ears, a number of drivers are frustrated. Christopher Bell is the latest in a long list of drivers to implore NASCAR for more power in the cars.

As of 2023, the Next Gen car generates 670 hp on normal tracks and 510 hp on restrictor plate tracks. This is less than its predecessor, the Gen 6, which used to generate 750 hp on normal tracks and 550 hp on superspeedways.

Christopher Bell lays out the advantages of higher horsepower

The reduced horsepower has caused short-track racing to suffer quite a bit and several prominent personnel have raised their concerns. As a result, the organizers are conducting a test session in Phoenix to test a short-track package on December 5 and 6. Christopher Bell will be one of the drivers involved in the testing and the Joe Gibbs Racing star recently made it clear what he expects from the two-day testing session.

“I do know what I’d love to get out of there is about 300 more horsepower but we’ll see if that happens,” Bell said. “Horsepower for sure, that’s my opinion and I’m sure if you ask a lot of the other drivers, they’re gonna say the same thing.”

The #20 Camry driver explained how increased horsepower would make pushing for positions a lot more viable and make the racing more competitive. Bell also said that more horsepower would mean more tire wear, which improves the racing and strategy aspect of things.

“Everything that we’re fighting has been masked by no horsepower. So, you know, we need tire wear. Horsepower induces tire wear. You talk about dirty air but when you have more horsepower, you’re able to pass a lot easier because you’re not just trying to inch up on someone. The runs become a lot bigger,” the JGR man said.

“The style of racing that we have right now is so much momentum-based racing and passes take many laps. You’re literally inching up on a car and you finally get beside them, it’s not like you just drive by. It’s you’re quarter, you’re door, you’re three-fourths, you’re finally clear and if you increase the horsepower, the runs are gonna get so much bigger that passing is inherently going to be easier,” he added.

However, despite several drivers’ requests, NASCAR has been reluctant to go that way. COO Steve O’Donnell’s comments in the recent State of the Sport address also came as a disappointment to many.

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NASCAR COO expresses concerns over costs of more horsepower

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While Steve O’Donnell said that nothing was off the table, he also mentioned that one of the main causes for concern was the cost of increased horsepower.

“I think everything is up for consideration. We’ve proven that. You have to factor in what are the costs involved as well, right? It’s not as simple as just upping the horsepower. You better be ready for all your OEs to be onboard. It better make sense for any potential new OEM and technology. It’s not just a short-term answer,” the NASCAR COO said as per The Daily Downforce.

Do you think NASCAR’s short-track package at Phoenix on December 5 and 6 will have higher horsepower? If yes, will it be enough to address the short-track racing problem? Let us know your thoughts.

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