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Zane Smith races at North Wilkesboro Speedway during a test.
BACK TO GALLERIES

Scenes from North Wilkesboro 2026 horsepower test

By Staff Report | Published: January 13, 2026 13
Alejandro Alvarez | NASCAR Digital Media
BACK TO GALLERIES

1 of 13

Daniel Suárez drives during a test at North Wilkesboro Speedway.

Alejandro Alvarez | NASCAR Digital Media

On Tuesday, a representative from every NASCAR Cup Series team participated in a horsepower test session at North Wilkesboro Speedway. The test provided insight into what 750-horsepower will look like with the Gen 7 Cup car on tracks smaller than 1.5 miles and preview the 450-lapper in July as North Wilkesboro hosts its first points-paying Cup race since 1996. 

RELATED: Buy race tickets | Cup Series tests higher horsepower

2 of 13

elliott at north wilkesboro test

Alejandro Alvarez | NASCAR Digital Media

Chase Elliott drives through Turns 1 and 2 around the 0.625-mile bullring. Chevrolet gets a glimpse of its updated body for 2026 at the short track. 

3 of 13

elliott at north wilkesboro test

Alejandro Alvarez | NASCAR Digital Media

Chase Elliott enters Turn 3 with the manual leaderboard in the backdrop. 

4 of 13

josh berry at north wilkesboro test

Alejandro Alvarez | NASCAR Digital Media

Josh Berry makes his way around North Wilkesboro Speedway. The short-track ace is looking to return to Victory Lane in 2026. 

5 of 13

elliott at north wilkesboro test

Alejandro Alvarez | NASCAR Digital Media

A closer look at the Chevrolet body on Chase Elliott's No. 9 hot rod. 

6 of 13

allmendinger at north wilkesboro test

Alejandro Alvarez | NASCAR Digital Media

AJ Allmendinger enters Turn 1 at North Wilkesboro Speedway. The longtime Cup veteran seeks his first victory since the Charlotte Motor Speedway Roval in 2023. 

7 of 13

elliott at north wilkesboro test

Alejandro Alvarez | NASCAR Digital Media

Chase Elliott continues to make laps in the No. 9 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet. 

8 of 13

zane smith at north wilkesboro test

Alejandro Alvarez | NASCAR Digital Media

Zane Smith pilots the No. 38 Front Row Motorsports Ford around North Wilkesboro Speedway. Will the third-year driver score his first career Cup win this season? 

9 of 13

Zane Smith races at North Wilkesboro Speedway during a test.

Alejandro Alvarez | NASCAR Digital Media

Zane Smith continues to wheel laps in the No. 38 Front Row Motorsports Ford at North Wilkesboro Speedway. 

10 of 13

Daniel Suárez drives No. 7 Chevrolet at North Wilkesboro Speedway during sunset.

Alejandro Alvarez | NASCAR Digital Media

A look at Daniel Suárez wheeling the No. 7 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet around the historic short track during sunset. 

11 of 13

Cole Custer drives No. 41 Ford at North Wilkesboro Speedway during sunset.

Alejandro Alvarez | NASCAR Digital Media

Cole Custer gets a feel of driving the new No. 41 Haas Factory Team Chevrolet at North Wilkesboro Speedway. 

12 of 13

Chris Buescher drives No. 17 Ford at North Wilkesboro Speedway during sunset.

Alejandro Alvarez | NASCAR Digital Media

Chris Buescher enters Turn 3 at North Wilkesboro Speedway during the test session. Will the No. 17 RFK Racing driver make a return to Victory Lane this season? 

13 of 13

Zane Smith drives No. 38 Ford at North Wilkesboro Speedway at sunset.

Alejandro Alvarez | NASCAR Digital Media

Zane Smith pilots the No. 38 during the evening hours of the horsepower test session at North Wilkesboro Speedway. 

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