Do all NASCAR race cars have the same horsepower?

No. NASCAR horsepower varies by series and by track type. In the top-tier Cup Series, teams run roughly 670 horsepower at most tracks and about 510 horsepower at drafting tracks such as Daytona, Talladega, and Atlanta. The Xfinity Series and the Craftsman Truck Series use different engines and also adjust output for superspeedways, so their horsepower is not identical to the Cup cars—or to each other. Below, we break down how and why those differences exist and what they mean for the racing you see.

How Cup Series horsepower works today

NASCAR’s Next Gen Cup cars use a 358-cubic-inch (5.86L) pushrod V8 with airflow controlled by a tapered spacer. That spacer—and the track package chosen by NASCAR—largely dictates how much power reaches the rear wheels. For the 2024–2025 seasons, the baseline remains two distinct power levels depending on the track.

The following list outlines the current Cup Series horsepower targets by track type and why they’re used.

• Most ovals and road courses: Approximately 670 hp, using a larger tapered spacer to allow more airflow for higher output.
• Drafting tracks (Daytona, Talladega, Atlanta): Approximately 510 hp, using a smaller spacer to cap speeds and enhance pack racing while prioritizing safety.

These targets keep speeds in a controlled window, balance competition across manufacturers, and create drafting dynamics where appropriate, without making the cars unmanageably fast.

Do other NASCAR series use the same horsepower?

No. Each national series uses its own engine rules and aero packages, and horsepower is adjusted for superspeedways across the board. NASCAR does not publish exact official horsepower figures; teams measure on their own dynos, and numbers can vary slightly based on conditions and setup. The ranges below reflect widely reported targets.

The following list summarizes typical horsepower by NASCAR national series, plus how superspeedway rules affect power.

• Cup Series: ~670 hp at most tracks; ~510 hp at Daytona/Talladega/Atlanta with a smaller spacer.
• Xfinity Series: Generally mid-600s hp at most tracks; reduced significantly at superspeedways via different spacer/aero rules to keep speeds in check.
• Craftsman Truck Series: Spec Ilmor V8 typically in the mid-600s hp at most tracks; power curtailed for superspeedways under series-specific rules.

While the exact dyno numbers can differ among teams and conditions, the pattern is consistent: higher output at most venues, reduced output for pack-racing tracks.

Why horsepower differs in NASCAR

The variations are deliberate. NASCAR tunes power levels to suit track characteristics, safety priorities, and competitive parity, and to maintain the style of racing fans expect.

The list below explains the main reasons horsepower varies.

• Safety and speed control: Lower power at superspeedways keeps terminal speeds within safer limits during pack racing.
• Competition and parity: Standardized spacers and spec elements help prevent runaway advantages and keep racing close.
• Track type: Short tracks, intermediates, road courses, and drafting ovals demand different balance between power and aero.
• Rule evolution: NASCAR adjusts packages (aero and engine spacers) as data and racing quality dictate; horsepower targets can change year to year.

Taken together, these levers let NASCAR fine-tune the on-track product while managing costs and safety across very different venues.

What this means for fans and teams

Not every NASCAR car runs the same horsepower, even within the same series. Teams prepare engines and gearing around the mandated spacer and the expected race conditions. For fans, that translates to different racing styles: higher-horsepower, tire-management battles on most tracks, and tightly packed drafting shows at Daytona, Talladega, and Atlanta, where reduced power heightens the importance of runs, momentum, and teamwork.

Looking ahead

NASCAR has continued to refine short-track and road-course aero packages without changing the core Cup horsepower targets, and it has tested new technologies (including an electric prototype) without committing to near-term powertrain shifts for points-paying races. As of the latest updates, the two-tier Cup approach—about 670 hp at most tracks and about 510 hp at drafting tracks—remains in place, while Xfinity and Trucks continue with their own series-specific ranges and superspeedway reductions.

Summary

No—NASCAR race cars do not all have the same horsepower. Cup cars typically run around 670 hp on most tracks and about 510 hp on Daytona, Talladega, and Atlanta. Xfinity and Craftsman Truck entries operate in different, series-specific ranges and also reduce power at superspeedways. These variations are intentional, balancing safety, parity, and racing quality across NASCAR’s diverse schedule.

Why is Dodge not allowed in NASCAR?

Ultimately, Dodge chose to withdraw from NASCAR, citing the inability to secure a partnership with a team that met its high standards for competitiveness and technological innovation.

Do all NASCARs have the same engines?

No, not all NASCAR engines are the same; although they must conform to NASCAR’s specifications for displacement (358 cubic inches), V8 configuration, and pushrod design, the specific designs for engine blocks, cylinder heads, and intake manifolds can differ among manufacturers like Ford, Chevrolet, and Toyota. These differences allow manufacturers to develop unique engines for competition while still adhering to the sport’s technical regulations.
 
What is standardized:

• Displacement: All NASCAR engines are limited to 358 cubic inches (approximately 5.8 liters). 
• Configuration: They must be naturally aspirated V8 engines. 
• Valvetrain: A pushrod (overhead valve) design is mandated, rather than modern overhead cam designs. 
• Compression Ratio: A 12:1 compression ratio is required. 

What differs between manufacturers:

• Engine Architecture: Ford, Chevrolet, and Toyota each submit their own designs for approval, leading to differences in their specific engine components. 
• Components: The intake manifolds, cylinder heads, and engine blocks can all be different for each manufacturer. 
• Engine Development: Within each manufacturer, engine development can continue, with different racing alliances (like Hendrick and Childress for Chevrolet) building engines based on their own specific designs. 

Why differences are allowed:

• Not a Spec Series: NASCAR is not a spec series, meaning that engine specifications are not completely identical for all competitors. 
• Manufacturer Competition: Allowing variations encourages different manufacturers to compete and innovate, contributing to the sport’s excitement. 
• NASCAR Oversight: NASCAR tightly regulates these differences, ensuring that no single manufacturer gains an unfair advantage through engine design. 

What engine was banned from NASCAR?

NASCAR has banned several engines throughout its history, but two prominent examples are the Ford 427 SOHC Cammer due to its advanced single overhead camshaft design, and the Chrysler 426 Hemi because of its overwhelming dominance, which led to fears of uncompetitiveness. Additionally, the engine in the 1969 Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport was also banned, not due to rule-breaking, but because GM corporate policy prohibited its factory entry into the competition.
 
The Ford 427 SOHC Cammer

• What it was: A high-performance V8 engine with single overhead camshafts (SOHC) and electronic fuel injection, designed to compete with Chrysler’s Hemi. 
• Why it was banned: NASCAR banned overhead camshaft (OHC) engines, making the Cammer ineligible for stock car competition. 
• Aftermath: Ford shifted its focus to drag racing, where the engine became a legendary and dominant force. 

This video explains why the Ford 427 SOHC Cammer was banned from NASCAR: 38sRare Car StorysYouTube · Feb 12, 2025
The Chrysler 426 Hemi 

• What it was: An incredibly powerful and compact engine that quickly achieved a high level of success in NASCAR. 
• Why it was banned: The Hemi’s dominant performance was so overwhelming that it was banned to “level the playing field” and restore unpredictability to races. 
• Aftermath: The ban wasn’t permanent, and the Hemi was allowed back into NASCAR after rules were revised to ensure its availability in production cars. 

You can watch this video to learn about the history of Hemi engines in NASCAR: 55s4 Wheels ChroniclesYouTube · Sep 23, 2023
Other Notable Banned Engines 

• Smokey Yunick’s “Mystery Motor”: This advanced Chevrolet engine was banned by NASCAR before it ever raced, though not for breaking rules but due to the potential for it to completely rewrite the sport’s history.

How many horsepower does a NASCAR have?

A current-generation NASCAR Cup Series car produces about 670 horsepower on most tracks, but uses a 510 horsepower package on restrictor-plate tracks. The specific horsepower number varies depending on the rules and the track, but the engines are designed to produce high torque for acceleration out of corners. 
Horsepower by Track Type 

• Standard Tracks: About 670 horsepower.
• Restrictor-Plate Tracks: About 510 horsepower.

Why the Variation? 

• Restrictor Plates: NASCAR uses restrictor plates on higher-speed tracks to limit the amount of air and fuel that can enter the engine, which reduces overall power output.
• Safety and Competition: The use of restrictor plates was introduced to lower speeds, which were previously a danger at superspeedways. By making the cars more equal in speed, it also creates more opportunities for close racing.

Historical Horsepower Trends

• Higher Power: In previous years, such as 2014, NASCAR cars had significantly higher horsepower, with some engines producing close to 900 horsepower. 
• Gradual Reduction: NASCAR has been gradually reducing horsepower over the years for various reasons, including safety and to improve the on-track product. 
• Next Gen Car: The introduction of the Next Gen car led to an updated horsepower package, with the 670hp number becoming the current standard for most tracks.