Richard Petty Calls for More Horsepower After Chaotic Daytona 500, Sparking NASCAR Debate

The aftermath of the 2025 Daytona 500 has reignited one of the most contentious debates in NASCAR—should stock cars be given more horsepower to make races both safer and more exciting? Racing legend Richard Petty, a seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion, has made his stance clear, advocating for more speed to bring back the raw competition that once defined the sport.

Following a race filled with crashes, including Ryan Preece’s terrifying airborne wreck, Petty took to social media to share his perspective. According to him, the solution to the problem isn’t restricting cars but unleashing more power. “The way to make them more exciting is to give them more horsepower and let them run faster,” Petty stated. “The faster they run, the more the driver has to stay on his toes.”

His argument is that by increasing speeds, the natural skill gap between drivers will become more apparent, reducing the tight pack racing that often leads to massive wrecks. Currently, with cars designed to maintain close competition at lower speeds, the risk of large pileups is heightened, as seen in the Daytona 500 where 35 out of 41 cars were involved in crashes—the highest number since 2019.

Petty’s stance is echoed by Denny Hamlin, a three-time Daytona 500 winner, who believes that the reduction in horsepower has negatively impacted racing quality. Hamlin argues that slower speeds have made overtaking more difficult, leading to more aggressive and dangerous moves on the track. “We took away horsepower because we wanted to look good on TV, but not to actually pass,” Hamlin criticized.

The introduction of NASCAR’s Next Gen cars in 2022 was meant to revolutionize the sport, cutting costs while improving performance. However, many drivers and analysts have pointed out that while the cars have increased parity in the field, they may not absorb impacts as effectively as previous models, potentially putting drivers at greater risk. The rigid structure of the vehicles, coupled with the current racing format, has created a scenario where wrecks are not only frequent but more violent.

Ryan Preece, who has now suffered two major airborne crashes at Daytona in the past two years, voiced his frustration after the race, calling for changes. “We keep beating on a door hoping for a different result,” Preece said. “Something needs to be done because cars are lifting off the ground like that… it’s not a good place to be.”

The debate over NASCAR’s future direction is now heating up. While some argue that the current approach ensures closer competition and dramatic finishes, others, including Petty and Hamlin, believe it sacrifices driver skill and increases unnecessary risk. More horsepower, according to them, would allow skilled drivers to separate themselves from the pack, reducing dangerous pack racing and ultimately making the sport both safer and more thrilling.

NASCAR now faces a critical decision. Will officials listen to Petty’s call to bring back the high-speed, high-skill racing that once defined the golden era of the sport? Or will they continue prioritizing controlled competition, even at the risk of more wrecks?

One thing is certain—Richard Petty’s words carry weight, and as the debate intensifies, the racing world will be watching closely to see whether NASCAR embraces a return to its high-horsepower roots.