NASCAR officials announced updated practice and qualifying formats for the 2025 season on Thursday, introducing longer practice sessions and simplified rules for determining starting lineups across its three national series.
This announcement aligns with the release of the early 2025 race weekend schedules, which detail events leading up to the season-opening Daytona 500 on February 16 at 2:30 p.m. ET (FOX, MRN Radio, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio). The schedule includes a new 50-minute practice session on February 12.
Key updates to the procedures include:
Group practice time increasing from 20 to 25 minutes.
Single-round qualifying at most tracks, except superspeedways, which will continue to feature a final round for the fastest 10 cars.
Starting positions determined solely by qualifying results, eliminating the previous row-by-row system.
Single-lap time trials at most tracks, with short tracks using the best of two laps for the qualifying speed. Road courses will feature group qualifying with 20-minute sessions.
Broadcast changes for 2025 include Cup Series practice and qualifying shown on Prime Video during the first half of the season and on TNT Sports through Max and TruTV in the latter half. Exceptions include FOX Sports retaining rights for The Clash, the Daytona 500, and the All-Star Race. The Xfinity Series sessions will air on The CW, while FOX Sports will cover all Truck Series practice and qualifying.
Brad Moran, Cup Series director, said the new procedures were shaped by industry feedback and collaboration with new broadcast partners entering a seven-year media rights agreement. The slight increase in track time is a nod to pre-COVID schedules, which were streamlined during the pandemic. Moran emphasized the changes are a positive step for fans and partners.
Breakdown of Practice and Qualifying Procedures:
Standard Practice and Qualifying (Ovals)
25-minute practice sessions for Group 1 and Group 2 (based on 70% previous race results and 30% owner points).
Single-lap qualifying in one round.
Tracks include Las Vegas, Phoenix (spring), Miami, Darlington, Texas, Kansas, and more.
Short Tracks
25-minute practice sessions for two groups.
Two-lap qualifying in one round.
Tracks include Martinsville, Bristol, Dover, Iowa, and others.
Superspeedways
No regular practice, except a 50-minute session before Daytona 500 qualifying.
Two-round qualifying with the top 10 advancing to a final round.
Tracks include Atlanta, Talladega, and Daytona (summer).
Road Courses
25-minute practice for two groups.
20-minute group qualifying sessions.
Tracks include Chicago, Sonoma, Watkins Glen, and others.
Expanded Practice Weekends
Certain high-profile events will feature separate practice and qualifying sessions:
Cup Series: The Clash, Daytona 500, COTA, All-Star Race, Mexico City, Indianapolis, and Phoenix championship.
Xfinity Series: Daytona, Rockingham, Mexico City, Indianapolis, WWTR, and Phoenix championship.
Truck Series: Daytona, Rockingham, Michigan, Lime Rock, Watkins Glen, New Hampshire, Charlotte Roval, and Phoenix championship.
