How much horsepower do the NASCAR trucks have? Here’s what you need to know
The Truck Series is a third-tier racing series in the NASCAR stock car racing hierarchy. This series offers a unique opportunity for truck manufacturers to showcase their products while serving as a proving ground for young talent, with veteran drivers serving as the benchmark.
In 2024, three manufacturers—Ford, Toyota, and Chevrolet—are represented in the Craftsman Truck Series. Ford fields the F-150, Toyota continues with the Tundra, and Chevrolet teams compete with the Silverado. These three manufacturers vie for supremacy in the pickup truck segment.
Coming to the engine specifications for the trucks in this third-tier series, they are equipped with a V8 pushrod engine capable of producing 650 to 700 horsepower and 700 Nm of torque, with a restricted output of 450 horsepower on superspeedways. The spec engines are manufactured by Ilmor, which joined the sport in 2018.
These engines are based on a 6.2-liter Chevrolet LSX NT1 engine and power the 3,400 lb trucks, which includes the minimum weight of the driver and fuel. The Sunoco fuel used is a blend of 85% unleaded gasoline and 15% Sunoco Green Ethanol E15.
The inaugural season of the NASCAR Truck Series saw Mike Skinner win the championship in his Chevrolet C/K. Ram Trucks also had a presence in the series during its early years and returned for a second stint from 2012 to 2016. Additionally, the Truck Series provided a pathway for Toyota's entry into NASCAR.
Ford has been fielding the F-150 model since 1995, and Chevrolet has adopted the Silverado since 1998. Toyota has stuck with its Tundra model since its debut in the series in 2004. Chevrolet is the reigning NASCAR Truck Series manufacturers champion.
Who has the most NASCAR Truck Series victories?
Two-time Cup Series champion Kyle Busch holds the record for the most victories in the Truck Series, with 66 wins. On average, Busch has won a race in every three starts, having made 174 starts across 22 years, from his first victory in 2005 to his latest victory in 2024 at Texas.
Second to Busch on the all-time Truck Series win list is NASCAR Hall of Famer Ron Hornaday Jr., who boasts 51 race wins. A pioneering figure in the Truck Series, he is a four-time champion of the series. Following him in the rankings are Mike Skinner and Jack Sprague, both tied for third with 28 victories each.
Among active Truck Series drivers, Matt Crafton leads with 15 wins, followed by Grant Enfinger with 12, and 22-year-old Corey Heim, who has secured 11 victories. At 23, Christian Eckes has eight wins, while two-time Truck Series champion Ben Rhodes closely follows with seven victories.
In the 2024 Truck Series playoffs, Grant Enfinger has clinched back-to-back victories in the Round of 8, securing his spot in the season finale. The series now heads to Martinsville, where the remaining championship contenders will be determined.