NASCAR is set to overhaul its practice and qualifying format ahead of the 2025 season.
On Thursday, the sanctioning body confirmed that it would be making changes to its formatting in 2025, in an attempt to increase practice time, create consistency between NASCAR’s National Series, and simplify the overall process.
All qualifying sessions (except sessions at Daytona, Atlanta, and Talladega) will return to a single-round format, with each vehicle’s starting position directly correlated to qualifying speed.
The allotment of practice time will increase, albeit slightly, from 20 to 25 minutes. While all of the practices will continue to be split between two groups, qualifying sessions will no longer be split — except on road courses.
In the NASCAR Xfinity Series and NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, all teams will hit the racetrack at once for a 50-minute practice session, with qualifying continuing to be split into two groups, each of which will get 20 minutes. The fastest driver wins the pole.
There are some exceptions to these streamlined practice sessions, including The Clash, DAYTONA 500, and NASCAR All-Star Race.
Events at Bowman-Gray Stadium, the DAYTONA 500, Circuit of The Americas, North Wilkesboro, Mexico City, Indianapolis, and the Championship Race at Phoenix Raceway will feature extended practices for the NASCAR Cup Series.
In the NASCAR Xfinity Series, Daytona, Rockingham, Lime Rock, Watkins Glen, Michigan, New Hampshire, Charlotte’s ROVAL, and the Championship Race will feature extended sessions.
Daytona, Rockingham, Mexico City, Indianapolis, WWT Raceway, and Phoenix will feature extended sessions for the NASCAR Xfinity Series, with the NASCAR Truck Series getting more practice time at Daytona, Rockingham, Michigan, Lime Rock, Watkins Glen, Loudon, Charlotte’s ROVAL, and Phoenix.
FOX Sports will cover practice and qualifying for The Clash, DAYTONA 500, and NASCAR All-Star Race, as well as the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series.
Amazon Prime will cover it in the remainder of the season’s first half, with TNT Sports (via TruTV and Max) taking over for the second half of the season.
Details regarding practice and qualifying for the NASCAR Xfinity Series will be confirmed at a later date.
NASCAR Cup Series:
NASCAR Xfinity Series:
NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series:
