The NASCAR Next Gen car, launched in 2022, was designed to cut costs and create parity, but it’s sparked growing criticism from drivers and teams. While the system has narrowed the performance gap between big and small organizations, it’s also made passing harder and races feel more uniform, especially on short tracks and road courses. Safety and drivability remain major concerns.

Even so, drivers like Denny Hamlin and Brad Keselowski say the car still produces “aerodynamic lockup,” where dirty air makes overtaking nearly impossible. Kyle Busch, too, has been a frequent critic of the Next Gen car. This time, he didn’t mince words when discussing the state of the Next Gen, offering a pointed critique that echoes growing concerns among drivers and teams.

Busch calls for old-school edge

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