NASCAR Officials Reveal What the New Horsepower Package Did at Phoenix

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AVONDALE, ARIZONA – MARCH 08: Riley Herbst, driver of the #35 Monster Energy Toyota, Chris Buescher, driver of the #17 Fry’s/Artesano/Kraft Ford, Connor Zilisch, driver of the #88 Wendy’s Chevrolet, and AJ Allmendinger, driver of the #16 Campers Inn RV Chevrolet, race during the NASCAR Cup Series Straight Talk Wireless 500 at Phoenix Raceway on March 08, 2026 in Avondale, Arizona. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)

Ryan Blaney won the Straight Talk Wireless 500 at Phoenix Raceway on March 8, 2026, but much of the discussion after the race focused on NASCAR’s new competition package. The event marked the debut of the 750-horsepower setup at the 1-mile track, a change NASCAR introduced to improve short-track racing and increase tire wear.

Officials reviewed the results during the “Hauler Talk” podcast following the race weekend. The race showed visible tire falloff and passing across the field, which NASCAR said demonstrated the intended impact of the new package.

According to NASCAR.com reporter Nate Ryan, NASCAR leadership expressed satisfaction with both the horsepower increase and the tire’s performance during the event.

NASCAR Praises Impact of New Horsepower Package

NASCAR officials said the updated configuration delivered the type of racing they expected at Phoenix Raceway.

Mike Forde, NASCAR’s vice president of racing communications, addressed the change during the “Hauler Talk” podcast. He explained that the added horsepower increased peak speeds in certain parts of the track, leading to greater tire wear and more opportunities for strategy and passing.

“The overall speed for the full lap is not that different, but the high speeds are higher. And what that means is it’ll just eat up the tire much more, which leads to varying strategies, comers, goers, and passing. And that’s exactly what we were hoping to happen.”

According to Nate Ryan of NASCAR.com, the Phoenix race was the first major test of the new package in the 2026 season.

Minimal Engine Changes Created Noticeable Results

The horsepower increase came from a small adjustment to the tapered spacer used in the engines. NASCAR widened the holes in the spacer, allowing more airflow into the engine and increasing power output.

Forde said many teams used sealed engines carried over from the previous season. As a result, the spacer adjustment became the primary change responsible for the added horsepower.

“A pretty minimal update to those engines created a maximum difference in the Phoenix race. You saw lots of passing, where sometimes passing was very challenging in previous iterations of the Phoenix Raceway Cup race.”

Forde added that NASCAR viewed the results as encouraging for the future of the short-track package.

“So we’re very happy. Thumbs up from the NASCAR side.”

NASCAR Says Debris Caused Tire Incidents

Several tire problems occurred during the race, particularly during the second stage. NASCAR reviewed the incidents after the event and determined that debris on the racing surface caused many of the failures.

According to NASCAR.com, brake rotor fragments scattered on the track contributed to the tire issues teams experienced during the race.

Forde said NASCAR did not find evidence that the tire itself caused the problems. Instead, officials pointed to debris as the primary factor behind the incidents.

“Beyond that, it seemed like everyone minded their P’s and Q’s, and it didn’t become the story that it was during last Phoenix weekend. Which is great because the higher horsepower was going to be a challenge on the tires.”

The Phoenix weekend also featured an IndyCar event at the same track. NASCAR officials said the early results from the new horsepower package showed encouraging signs as the 2026 Cup Series season continues.

Dogli Wilberforce is a sports writer who covers NASCAR, Formula 1 and IndyCar Series for Heavy Sports. With bylines at Total Apex Sports and Last Word on Sports, Wilberforce has built a reputation for delivering timely, engaging coverage that blends sharp analysis with accessible storytelling. Wilberforce has covered everything from major football transfers to fight-night drama, bringing readers the insight and context behind the headlines. More about Dogli Wilberforce