NASCAR's Steve Phelps doesn't expect an increase in horsepower

NASCAR President Steve Phelps ruffled some feathers with his comments about horsepower earlier this week.

Speaking with Dustin Long of NBC Sports, Phelps delineated that he’s not expecting there to be a change in horsepower anytime soon in the Cup Series. It’s something fans and drivers alike have been wishing for, but it seems like it’s not coming to fruition.

“I don’t think the answer is more horsepower because more horsepower is expensive,” Phelps said. “If you ask a driver what’s going to solve it, they’re always going to say ‘Give me more horsepower.’ It’s a thing. I’m not a driver, but I’ve listened to enough drivers and that’s their solution.

“So the question is is that really what it is? I don’t know. I think there’s some gearing things that we’re looking at as well. Some shifting things.”

Even if there’s no change in horse power, Phelps’ comments make it seem like there’s something on the horizon. What it may be is a mystery, but NASCAR likes to keep their racing fresh.

Perhaps Steve Phelps will sing a different tune if the driver’s reaction is strong enough. Regardless, we’re hoping for some improved racing on the track in 2024, especially when it comes to passing at certain tracks.

Toyota unveils redesigned Camry XSE for 2024 NASCAR Cup Series competition

In some other fascinating NASCAR news, when a Toyota takes the track in the Cup Series next season, it’ll look a little different than what we’ve grown used to.

Following in the footsteps of some of NASCAR’s other major manufacturers, Toyota has released their designs for a redesigned Camry XSE for 2024. 

NASCAR made the official announcement on Monday in a press release. Check out the new Camry below, as the photos were shared to X, formerly known as Twitter, by Jordan Bianchi of The Athletic.

Toyota will race a redesigned Camry XSE in the NASCAR Cup Series in 2024. pic.twitter.com/1qZbvYqe5K

— Jordan Bianchi (@Jordan_Bianchi) November 27, 2023

Moreover, NASCAR provided some insight into the change during their statement on the matter on Monday.

“Toyota introduced its new model for the NASCAR Cup Series on Monday, taking the wraps off a race car with a fresh look and a familiar nameplate for 2024 — the Camry XSE Next Gen,” NASCAR announced, via press release. “The model replaces the Toyota Camry TRD that competed in the first two seasons of NASCAR’s seventh-generation stock-car platform, and the design emulates the road-going 2025 model-year Camry that’s set to go on sale this spring. 

“It’s the fifth model that Toyota has introduced for NASCAR’s top division, and it continues the industry-wide push in recent years toward strengthening carmakers’ brand identity, incorporating many of the passenger car’s design cues.”

It’s going to be fun to see the new Camry on the track come 2024. We’re already missing NASCAR, but there’s a ton of storylines to look ahead to for next season, it seems.