Jeff Gordon sceptical over proposed NASCAR Cup Series change

NASCAR legend Jeff Gordon has expressed scepticism on whether or not a proposed change to the Cup Series will actually work.

NASCAR's next-gen car has come in for consistent criticism in recent seasons over how difficult it is for drivers to pass each other, particularly on short tracks.

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Currently, Cup Series cars are limited to 670 horsepower, but stars such as Denny Hamlin have called for this to be increased in order to fix the problem, or at least attempt to.

Recently, NASCAR vice president of competition, Elton Sawyer, even confirmed that an increase to 750 horsepower was 'on the table' and that NASCAR was 'working closely with all the stakeholders in the industry' on the matter.

Gordon, though, a former champion and now the vice chairman of Hendrick Motorsports, isn't convinced that the increase will fix the problem.

“If we thought as a team adding horsepower, adding softer tires, was going to be the fix-all … it’s not," Gordon explained, via NASCAR.com.

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Gordon raises concerns over horsepower increase

Gordon continued: "Adding horsepower, I think, at certain tracks like the mile tracks and half-mile tracks, I like. I think we’re too glued to the race track right now. So, adding power, I like.

"Adding as much power as I think maybe it takes would do two things: number one, cost, I hate bringing up cost, but we’re talking about components that won’t last. Not just in the engine. So that’s one.

“And then the other is it might make the cars harder to drive, and the drivers like it more, but that doesn’t mean that it’s going to be a better race."

Gordon also addressed the calls to use softer tires to improve racing, revealing what he thinks would be the sweet spot in terms of the rubber.

"On the Goodyear side of things, they’re trying really, really hard," he continued.

"I’ve learned a softer tire doesn’t necessarily mean more fall-off, and that’s what we want.

“We don’t need a softer tire; we need a tire that has grip and then falls off where the driver and team have to manage the tire wear.”

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