With the 2025 NASCAR season less than a month away, officials have made some rule changes for the upcoming Cup Series season. A new provisional rule, changes to the damaged vehicle policy (crash clock), and tweaks to the playoff waivers have all been addressed.
Competition officials have announced a new Open Exemption Provisional directed at special or invited drivers for an event. The rule only comes into play if all 40 starting spots are filled and a driver has pre-approval from NASCAR.
OEP eligible drivers can earn the race win, the trophy, and eligibility for the All-Star Race; but cannot earn championship points, playoff eligibility, or the prize money.
Trackhouse Racing is entering their Project 91 car in the Daytona 500 on February 16 with IndyCar driver Helio Castroneves behind the wheel. Trackhouse has announced that they intend to use the new provisional to ensure Castroneves is one of the drivers in the race.
Cars that receive damage after an on track incident will have seven minutes to complete repairs on pit road (eight minutes at Atlanta), but in an amendment to the rule, cars that are repaired in the garage will be allowed to re-enter the race. All cars that must be towed off of the track due to a flat tire or crash damage will be towed to the garage. Any driver who leaves pit road after repairs and the “crash clock” expires before they reach the racing surface will receive a penalty.
Recent years have seen a great deal of controversy over who deserves to earn a playoff waiver. Officials have made some changes to that rule including a “swap” – a playoff waiver for playoff points earned during the regular season. Such a driver would start the playoffs with the 2,000 point baseline. Circumstances that would warrant such a designation would be for a race suspension or skipping a race. Medical absences, family emergencies including the birth of a baby, and any restrictions that prevent a driver from running the full season are NOT included in the points forfeiture.
Officials have attempted to “clarify” the penalty rule in regards to OEM – Original Equipment Manufacturers. Infractions could result in the loss of points/ and or the loss of time in the wind-tunnel and other test times.
The phrase “artificially alter the finishing positions” has been changed to “manipulate the outcome of the event”.
Previously, NASCAR made some changes to practice and qualifying rules.