Former driver and NASCAR team owner Dale Earnhardt Jr. has revealed his hate for the current Next Gen car, revealing that he would literally “tear it apart.” Several drivers have voiced their disapproval of the car for being underpowered, which led NASCAR to announce a horsepower bump on the car in 2026.
Dale Jr. has previously voiced his criticism of the Next Gen car, addressing not only the power deficit but also other areas, such as the tire profile, diffuser, and other design elements, that make it appear less like a stock car and more like a car dedicated to racing on a circuit.
He has now spoken along similar lines on his Dale Jr. Download podcast after the playoff race at Charlotte Motor Speedway Roval, revealing his satisfaction with the car’s tires this time but also explaining what he would take off the car. Dale Jr. said:
“I do like the tire, the falloff. That’s like one little thing, but there’s so many little things that I wish were different. The tire this weekend — so good. More of that, please. I’ll be honest, this car — I’ve talked in length about this car on this show. Things about the car physically that I just don’t think belongs on the car. The underbody and all of that stuff. I would really tear this car apart and strip it down, get rid of some sh*t. I would not touch it in its current form for the mile-and-a-half and stuff.
“But for the car I’m gonna take to Martinsville, it would be like the unplugged version instead of the full band. It would be the unplugged version of the Next Gen. You don’t need all that sh*t. It’d be so basic and dull, you’d beat the sh*t out of it. Go out there and beat the sh*t out of it. It could look the same to you on TV, but underneath the shell, it would be a much, much simpler, leaner version.”
NASCAR announced yesterday that it will increase horsepower on the Next Gen car from 670 to 750 on short tracks and road courses next year. Teams will be allowed to run with higher power at the Circuit of the Americas, Watkins Glen, San Diego, Sonoma, and Charlotte Roval.
Speaking of short tracks, the power will be increased at the Bowman Gray Stadium, Phoenix, Darlington, Martinsville, Bristol, Dover, Nashville, North Wilkesboro, Iowa, Richmond, New Hampshire, and World Wide Technology Raceway at Gateway. Depending on how the races play out, NASCAR may allow teams to increase horsepower at other tracks in the future.
