How Much Horsepower Do NASCAR Engines Make?

NASCAR Cup Series engines make about 670 horsepower at most tracks and are reduced to roughly 510 horsepower at the three superspeedways (Daytona, Talladega, and Atlanta). In the other national series, Xfinity cars typically produce around 650–700 hp, while Craftsman Trucks run in the roughly 625–650 hp range. These figures are mandated by NASCAR and can vary slightly with conditions, engine builder, and dyno measurements.

The Cup Series: Current Power Targets

The top-tier NASCAR Cup Series has standardized “target” power levels since the debut of the Next Gen car in 2022, prioritizing close racing and speed control. The same 358 cu in (5.86L) pushrod V8 architecture remains, but airflow restrictions and package rules govern how much power teams can deploy at different venues.

Track-dependent limits

Most of the schedule runs at a 670-horsepower target, with a lower-power superspeedway package used to manage pack racing and terminal speeds. Atlanta Motor Speedway, reconfigured with high banking and pack-style racing, is included alongside Daytona and Talladega in the reduced-power group.

The following list summarizes Cup Series horsepower by track type for the current rules cycle.

• Most tracks (short tracks, intermediates, road courses): approximately 670 hp
• Superspeedways (Daytona, Talladega, Atlanta): approximately 510 hp

These targets are enforced via intake restrictions and complementary rules that keep performance within a narrow band, though real-world dyno figures may fluctuate slightly from team to team.

What About Xfinity and Trucks?

While the Cup Series draws most of the attention, NASCAR’s other national divisions also run powerful V8s with their own restrictions and targets. The exact numbers can vary with the weekend’s specific spacer and conditions, but the ranges below reflect typical outputs.

Here is a quick reference for the other two national series.

• NASCAR Xfinity Series: roughly 650–700 hp at most tracks
• NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series (Ilmor NT1 spec engine): roughly 625–650 hp

Because both series use different engines and packages from Cup—Xfinity with manufacturer-built engines and Trucks with a spec Ilmor—their power bands are intentionally a touch lower than Cup while still delivering high speeds and tightly matched competition.

How NASCAR Regulates Horsepower

NASCAR balances speed, safety, and parity through a mix of engine and rules-package controls. While the engines are capable of more, specific components and limits bring outputs to the sanctioned targets.

The mechanisms below are the primary ways horsepower is kept in check.

• Airflow restrictions: Tapered spacers limit intake air, setting the 670 hp and 510 hp targets in Cup.
• Spec electronics: A standardized ECU tightly controls fuel and ignition strategies to curb gray areas.
• Gear ratios and RPM limits: Ratio boxes and rev ceilings help manage speeds and durability.
• Aero packages: Downforce and drag levels work with power limits to shape pack dynamics and top speeds.
• Fuel and technical inspection: Spec fuel and rigorous post-race checks help maintain parity and deter gains outside the rules.

The combined effect is a predictable horsepower window that teams must optimize within, shifting the competitive edge toward drivability, efficiency, and setup.

Why the Numbers Vary

Published horsepower figures are targets, not single fixed outputs. Differences in dyno calibration, atmospheric conditions, and engine-builder approaches can shift readings by a few percent. Teams also focus on area under the curve—how much usable power and torque are available across the rev range—rather than a single peak value, especially with today’s gear ratios and aero loads.

Outlook for 2025

As of now, NASCAR has not announced a change to the Cup Series’ 670/510 horsepower targets for the 2025 season. Discussions around future powertrains (including potential hybrid elements) continue industry-wide, but any substantive change would come with lead time and formal updates. Expect the current horsepower landscape to hold unless NASCAR issues new guidance.

Summary

NASCAR Cup cars make about 670 hp at most events and 510 hp at Daytona, Talladega, and Atlanta. Xfinity machines typically produce 650–700 hp, and Trucks run around 625–650 hp. These mandated targets are achieved through intake restrictions and complementary rules, yielding close racing while managing speeds and safety.