NASCAR is considering its options when it comes to limiting participation for NASCAR Cup Series drivers in the NASCAR Xfinity and Craftsman Truck Series.
On Tuesday, Adam Stern of Sports Business Journal (SBJ) released a report that the sanctioning body was considering altering any pre-existing limits that were put in place.
The idea of these limitations has been floating around the industry for nearly a decade, with the most recent change being made before the 2020 campaign.
As things stand, drivers with three or more years of experience in the NASCAR Cup Series are limited to five starts in the NASCAR Xfinity Series and NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series — all of which must take place before the regular-season finale.
O’Donnell is quoted in the report, saying: “We’re going to look at who is able to race in the series in the future as well and maybe make some changes down the road, but there’s a lot of opportunities for us to work with The CW and O’Reilly Auto Parts [the series’ new title sponsor] to take it to the next level so you’re operating from a really good base, which is awesome, but I think we’ve got a lot of growth ahead of us.”
Additionally, O’Donnell adds that NASCAR has already begun to have talks with The CW (which will broadcast the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series in 2026) and FOX Sports (which will broadcast the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series in 2026) about whether that rule makes sense and how it can be tweaked, if it needs to be tweaked.
Ross Chastain is the only driver to have maxed out his five-race campaign in the NASCAR Xfinity Series this season, driving a fifth entry for JR Motorsports. Kyle Larson (4), Riley Herbst (4), and Shane Van Gisbergen (3) are the only others to make a significant number of starts.
Kyle Busch and Ross Chastain are the two drivers in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series who have maxed out their five-race limit in 2025, with Carson Hocevar (4), Kyle Larson (2), William Byron (2), Justin Haley (2), and Michael McDowell (2) being the only others to make multiple starts.
O’Donnell further confirmed reports of NASCAR potentially changing in a one-on-one interview with Eric Estepp and ‘Out of The Groove’ on Tuesday, posted to YouTube.
Whether or not these changes will be made for the 2026 NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series and the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series campaign is yet to be seen; however, at this junction, it appears to be a possibility.
