NASCAR Revs Up For 2026: North Wilkesboro Hosts Crucial Preseason Test

The 2026 NASCAR Cup Series season is officially waking up from its winter slumber, and it’s doing so with a roar. This Tuesday, January 13, teams are heading to the historic North Wilkesboro Speedway for a one-day organizational test. But this isn’t just about knocking the rust off the haulers; it’s the first real-world shakedown of the much-anticipated 750-horsepower rules package.

For fans who have been asking for more throttle response on short tracks, this test is a glimpse into a faster, grittier future.

The 750-Horsepower Package: What You Need To Know

Let’s cut to the chase—power is back. Last October, NASCAR officials made the call to bump the baseline horsepower from 670 up to 750 for road courses and oval tracks measuring less than 1.5 miles.

Why the change? It’s all about the racing product. After listening to feedback from drivers, teams, and the fans in the stands, the sanctioning body decided it was time to tweak the formula. The goal is to find that sweet spot where tire wear, handling, and speed all converge to create better passing and tighter battles.

The cars hitting the asphalt at North Wilkesboro will be sporting an aerodynamic configuration that we first saw on short tracks back in 2024. This includes a three-inch rear spoiler and fewer strakes on the rear diffuser, designed to reduce downforce. Combined with the extra ponies under the hood, this package should make the cars a bit more of a handful to drive. That is what the fans want to see.

North Wilkesboro: A Fitting Stage For a Comeback

There’s something poetic about testing this new, punchier package at North Wilkesboro. This 0.625-mile oval is hallowed ground. After sitting silent for decades, the track was brought back to life to host the All-Star Race for the last three years.

But 2026 marks a huge milestone: the track’s return to the regular-season points schedule. On July 19, for the first time since 1996, drivers will battle for points here in the Window World 450. Tuesday’s test is crucial for teams to gather data on tire wear, braking zones, and car balance so they aren’t going in blind when the summer heat and the pressure cranks up.

Who’s Hitting the Track?

This is an organizational test, meaning we’ll see one car from each chartered team. It’s a “who’s who” of the garage area, featuring a mix of champions and hungry veterans.

Here is the driver lineup you can expect to see turning laps on Tuesday:

• Ross Chastain (Trackhouse Racing, Chevrolet)
• Daniel Suárez (Spire Motorsports, Chevrolet)
• Kyle Busch (Richard Childress Racing, Chevrolet)
• Chase Elliott (Hendrick Motorsports, Chevrolet)
• AJ Allmendinger (Kaulig Racing, Chevrolet)
• Chris Buescher (RFK Racing, Ford)
• Chase Briscoe (Joe Gibbs Racing, Toyota)
• Josh Berry (Wood Brothers Racing, Ford)
• Joey Logano (Team Penske, Ford)
• Zane Smith (Front Row Motorsports, Ford)
• Cole Custer (Haas Factory Team, Chevrolet)
• Erik Jones (Legacy Motor Club, Toyota)
• Tyler Reddick (23XI Racing, Toyota)
• Ricky Stenhouse Jr. (Hyak Motorsports, Chevrolet)
• Cody Ware (Rick Ware Racing, Chevrolet)

Fans cheer at North Wilkesboro Speedway. Image by Peter Casey | Courtesy of Imagn

See It For Yourself

If you’re in the area and need a racing fix, you’re in luck. The grandstands at North Wilkesboro will be open to the public from 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. ET. Best of all? Admission is free.

It’s a rare chance to see the cars up close, hear that new engine note, and watch teams dial in their setups without the chaos of a race weekend. Plus, if you want to lock in your spot for the historic July race, the box office will be selling tickets during the test. The 2026 season is just around the corner, and if this test is any indication, it’s going to be a fast one.