NORTH WILKESBORO, N.C. — The sound of NASCAR engines returned to the North Carolina foothills Tuesday as NASCAR Cup Series drivers took part in a pivotal test session at North Wilkesboro Speedway.
The test, which was open to the public, gave fans a rare look at a new 750-horsepower engine package that is expected to be used at nearly 20 tracks throughout the 2026 season.
The multi-team test also doubled as a unique fan experience, with the speedway opening its grandstands to spectators eager to get their racing fix ahead of the upcoming NASCAR season. Fans in attendance were given the special opportunity to purchase single-day tickets at the box office for the highly anticipated Window World 450, scheduled for July 19.
The Window World 450 will mark the first points-earning NASCAR Cup Series race at North Wilkesboro Speedway since 1996, adding historic significance to Tuesday’s on-track activity. For teams, the test provided valuable data as NASCAR prepares to implement the new 750-horsepower package at select short tracks and road courses this season.
RFK Racing driver Chris Buescher talked about the power difference.
“Wilkesboro, for one, is a very racey track. We have moved around from the start of the day, where we had one and a half lanes in one and two and were just buried on the bottom in three and four,” Buescher said. “Right at the lunch break, that all opened up. The track itself lends itself to better racing. You probably don’t notice the power from the get-go, but at the tail end of the runs, with some of the falloff and the struggles in the car, I think that’s where you realize, ‘ok, I had more underneath us at the beginning of this run and I may be paying the price at this point.’ There’s no downside to it. This is a track, even though there’s new asphalt, I think you’ll see a little bit more change from it.”
Chase Elliott was also on the track, aboard his Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet.
“I hope it’s for the better. I don’t see the power hurting the entertainment factor of the race. Hopefully, it allows us to have to peddle the cars at some point throughout a run,” Elliott said. “There’s a lot of grip out there today, I feel like. But even by the end of 40 laps, there’s a good bit of falloff even for the temperatures we have today. I would have to imagine, we come back here in the summer months, certainly it will be warmer than it is today.
“You combine that with a lot more cars being on the track and I do think there will be wear. Obviously, more power will impact that as well. Hopefully, we keep inching up on making these long runs more of a challenge.”
Trackhouse Racing driver Ross Chastain said the test is valuable in more ways than one.
“This is big. This is valuable. Justin Marks and Trackhouse spend a lot of money and I think they would spend a lot more if we had more days like this,” Chastain said. “Selfishly, we’re competitors and we just want to do good. The best way to get better at racing is to go drive the car… Repeating something, as human beings, if we keep doing it with intention – not just cruising around in the wrong get – it’s super valuable.
“Justin (Marks) was here this morning, you know, the first real test of the year. He wanted to be here, smell it, see it, hear it. You really can’t put a dollar amount on it. I don’t pay the bills, but I don’t think Justin could either.”
