NASCAR plans to reduce Sprint Cup cars' power to improve racing
NASCAR is considering a reduction in horsepower as the next step in its ongoing quest to improve the quality of its racing, although the timescale for the change remains unclear
Speaking on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, series chairman and CEO Brian France said that a change to the engines could benefit the on-track product as well as ensuring the Sprint Cup continues to remain relevant to its manufacturers.
"We're going to make that happen, and that's part of the overall rules package that we design that hopefully control costs, hopefully make the racing better," France said.
"The engine is an integral part of that. We also have to be in step as much as possible with the car manufacturers and where they're going with technology and different things. It all has to come together, and that's the next significant part of the rules package.
"The engine will get a significant change. I'm not going to say [for] 2015, but we are certainly sizing that up. It's very important for us to get that right."
Current Cup engines produce around 850bhp, and Toyota Racing Development general manager David Wilson said that any conversation between NASCAR and the manufacturers about reducing that number is still in its earliest stages.
"With some clear objectives in mind, NASCAR is talking to their stakeholders, not only us as manufacturers but all of the engine builders that are party to this process," said Wilson.
"So the process is correct, it's healthy. We're still talking along with NASCAR. We're talking between ourselves about the various options, and it's still in the consideration phase.
"I really don't think we have much to say beyond that."
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