NASCAR officially increases horsepower, reduces downforce for 2022

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    NASCAR made the official decision Tuesday morning (12/21/21), that the NASCAR Cup Series will see increased horsepower and lower downforce for all non-superspeedway races in 2022. NASCAR Next Gen cars will increase the horsepower from, amuch disliked, 550 horsepower to a new 670 horsepower. Additionally these non-superspeedway tracks the NASCAR Cup Series will feature 4 inch spoilers, reduced significantly from the eight inch spoiler originally used. NASCAR has not yet decided if this new package will apply to Atlanta Motor Speedway which recently recieved an increase in banking, much like a superspeedway. The race package for Atlanta Motor Speedway will be determined at a later date.

This decision was made almost entirely based on a recent Next Gen (generation 7 car) test at Charlotte Motor Speedway, where NASCAR allowed a portion of the testing time to look at the possibilites of a higher horsepower package, one that featured a smaller 4-inch spoiler. As many fans commented on how entertaining the mock runs were, and how they were pleased with the racing product, it appears the NASCAR sanctioning body agrees.

Many NASCAR fans, especially those who disliked the 550 horsepower package are ecstatic about these new changes from the sanctioning body. Most NASCAR Cup Series races at intermediate tracks (1+ mile cookie-cutter ovals excluding Daytona and Talladega) saw this 550 horsepower package, which made passing a difficult task, and dirty air an ever growing issue. With the new 670 horsepower package (featuring the 4-inch spoiler), those issues are expected to change as cars will see easier passing, greater tire wear, higher speeds, and less aerodynamic dependency.

Through the tests in 2021, it has become evident that the generation-7 cars will be different in terms of handling, through the high horsepower, low downforce tests last week at Charlotte Motor Speedway, we now know that the new package will bring even more difficulty to the handling of the car. While to some that may seem like a downfall of the new package, avid fans of NASCAR realize struggles with handling is equivalent to a more entertaining race product.

Commenting on the new hp/df package, JTG Daugherty's driver of the No. 47 Chrevrolet explained: "Lets go, this package was really tough but really fun to race with at the test!!"

Lets go, this package was really tough but really fun to race with at the test!! https://t.co/SfcjhcAQEw

— Ricky Stenhouse Jr. (@StenhouseJr) December 21, 2021

Other drivers such as Brad Keselowski made similar statements saying "An Early Christmas present

" 

An Early Christmas present 🎁
😊👍🏻 https://t.co/Z2irWMH0PB

— Brad Keselowski (@keselowski) December 21, 2021

It's safe to say that this new package for the Next Gen/Generation-7 era of the NASCAR Cup Series will be a big win for fan approval in the sport. Since NASCAR originally decreased the horsepower and increased downforce for the NASCAR Cup Series many years ago, fans and drivers alike have been calling for changes. While there may be wrinkles to iron out with the new hp/df package, it is best for NASCAR to start off on the right foot, making changes that drivers and fans praise, then making adjustments when needed. The future appears brighter than ever!

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