Drivers Expect Tire Wear, Horsepower to Be Key Factors at NASCAR Martinsville Race

The Cook Out 400 at Martinsville Speedway is set for Sunday, with drivers anticipating a different race strategy compared to previous years.

Mar. 27, 2026 at 3:07am

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NASCAR drivers are gearing up for the upcoming Cook Out 400 at Martinsville Speedway on Sunday, with tire wear and the new horsepower package expected to be the biggest factors in the race. Drivers like Carson Hocevar, Austin Cindric, and Christopher Bell discussed the challenges of the half-mile track, which demands intense braking and tire conservation. Hocevar, who has struggled at Martinsville in the past, is hoping his team's success at the similar Bowman Gray track will translate to better performance this weekend.

Why it matters

Martinsville is one of the most unique and challenging tracks on the NASCAR circuit, with its tight corners and high demands on the cars and drivers. The new horsepower package introduced this season is expected to significantly impact the racing strategy, making this weekend's event an important test of how the changes will affect short-track competition.

The details

Drivers noted that the increased horsepower will make it more difficult to navigate the tight turns at Martinsville, with Austin Cindric saying it will be like "doing two U-turns and trying to force it out of the corners." Tire wear will also be a crucial factor, with Christopher Bell and Carson Hocevar both highlighting the importance of preserving the rear tires throughout the race. Hocevar, who has struggled at Martinsville in the past, is hoping his team's success at the similar Bowman Gray track will give them an advantage this weekend.

  • The Cook Out 400 at Martinsville Speedway is scheduled for Sunday, March 27, 2026 at 3 p.m.

The players

Carson Hocevar

A driver for Spire Motorsports who has struggled at Martinsville in the past, with an average finish of 24.6 in five starts at the track. However, he is hoping his team's success at the similar Bowman Gray track will translate to better performance this weekend.

Austin Cindric

A driver for Team Penske who is coming to Martinsville with momentum after a fifth-place finish at Darlington. He believes the increased horsepower will significantly impact the racing strategy at the short track.

Christopher Bell

A driver for Joe Gibbs Racing who expects tire wear to be a crucial factor in the race, noting that "tire degradation is going to be really big" with the new horsepower package.

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What they’re saying

“Our stuff has been kind of awful there, and I hadn't really had a good grasp of how to make it any better.”

— Carson Hocevar, Driver, Spire Motorsports

“I think Martinsville stands to change the most. We're basically doing two U-turns and trying to force it out of the corners.”

— Austin Cindric, Driver, Team Penske

“Tire wear is going to be really big, and nobody knows exactly what the tire degradation is going to be until we show up this weekend.”

— Christopher Bell, Driver, Joe Gibbs Racing

What’s next

Drivers will take to the track for practice and qualifying sessions on Saturday, March 26th, before the Cook Out 400 race on Sunday, March 27th.

The takeaway

The increased horsepower and the unique challenges of Martinsville Speedway will force drivers to adapt their strategies, with tire wear and conservation likely to be the key factors in determining the winner of the Cook Out 400 on Sunday.