The ongoing request from Cup Series drivers and teams has been for more horsepower. NASCAR has indicated that it will deliver this increase, just not as soon as some would necessarily hope.
According to NASCAR Senior VP of Competition Elton Sawyer, any changes would take place in 2026 at the earliest.
"No, I don't see that happening this year," Sawyer told SiriusXM NASCAR Radio's "The Morning Drive" on Tuesday. "Just as I went through there, the reasons and getting everyone together and being able to get all those boxes checked and making sure we do it right.
"We still have to make sure that that's first and foremost, that it is the right thing, which we believe it is. We've got feedback from a lot of, again, a lot of different stakeholders, some have a stronger opinion than others. So you have to weigh all that as well.
"But, um, yeah, I think we're set for the 2025 season."
This is not the first time that Sawyer has addressed the possibility of increasing horsepower. He previously explained in May that NASCAR was taking part in daily conversations with stakeholders about this possibility.
Horsepower increases appear to be in the future for Cup Series drivers, but this is not a change for every single track on the schedule. Sawyer specifically mentioned the increases in reference to fixing the short track product.
As the SVP of Competition explained, many conversations are taking place about which tracks fall into this "short track" mold. Sawyer said that "it's straightforward" in reference to Richmond Raceway and Martinsville Speedway. They are short tracks.
The 1-mile ovals, however, present a different conundrum. Sawyer used two examples during his appearance on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio. He noted how New Hampshire Motor Speedway is a 1-mile track that races like a short track.
Dover Motor Speedway, for comparison, is a 1-mile track that has higher speeds. New Hampshire Motor Speedway is a flatter track while Dover Motor Speedway has banked turns.
Sawyer did not mention Phoenix Raceway, the 1-mile track that will host the championship weekend this season.