UPDATE (12-21-2021): NASCAR today announced that it will move to higher horsepower/lower downforce for NASCAR Cup Series intermediate racetracks in 2022. The Next Gen car will feature a 670 hp engine and 4-inch spoiler – components that had already been announced for all short tracks and road courses.
The Next Gen car will now have the same spoiler height and engine horsepower level for all races except the superspeedway events. The components for the race at Atlanta Motor Speedway will be determined following the test in January.
The following is a statement from Steve O’Donnell, NASCAR Executive Vice President and Chief Racing Development Officer:
“After hours of wind tunnel and on-track testing, as well as feedback from drivers and the larger industry, NASCAR will move to higher horsepower, lower downforce for each of its non-superspeedway NASCAR Cup Series events. We believe the setup featuring the 670hp engine and 4-inch spoiler will lead to strong, intense competition and put the racing squarely in the hands of the best drivers in the world. That was the goal we set for the industry as we developed the Next Gen car. We are confident in the direction we’re headed and very much look forward to the racing in 2022 and beyond.”
— NASCAR —
Original Post (12-17-2021):NASCAR officials and teams indicated that 670 horsepower would likely be the target engine output for almost all tracks in the 2022 NASCAR Cup Series during Friday’s Next Gen testing at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
Steve O’Donnell, NASCAR executive vice president and chief racing development officer, said Friday morning that focus on the 670-horsepower target emerged after meetings with teams, drivers and other competition officials. That figure also fell within a range that would be attractive to manufacturers looking to potentially enter the sport.
A separate rules package will be used at Daytona International Speedway and Talladega Superspeedway, where speeds are curtailed on the circuit’s fastest ovals. O’Donnell said Atlanta Motor Speedway, which is being reconfigured with steeper banking for the 2022 season, may also fall into that category after tests are held there — Jan. 5 and 6 for Cup Series.
— NASCAR.com —