More changes are coming to NASCAR. On Friday, the series released its 2025 rules bulletin, touching on several facets of the game which have been a pain point for participants and fans, in addition to just a few surprises. Here's what's been added and what it means for everybody within the Garage within the upcoming season.
Guaranteed place due to the temporary open leave
NASCAR has introduced an interim open exemption, or OEP, that can guarantee a starting position for “world-class drivers entering the NASCAR Cup Series race.” A driver using this provision is not going to be entitled to receive points or money prizes. It is value noting that if a driver competing in an OEP race wins, the second place will actually receive first place points, but not additional playoff points. This continues down the outcomes, with the third person scoring points in second place, and so forth.
NASCAR confirmed that this variation signifies that four-time Indianapolis 500 winner Helio Castroneves is now locked out of the Daytona 500. He will make his Cup debut with the Trackhouse Racing team within the Project 91 entry. He can still race on merit, but the usage of an interim fields would increase the five hundred field to 41 cars.
Eligibility will probably be considered on a case-by-case basis, but each driver's resume will probably be a significant factor in NASCAR's final decision. Recent examples of drivers who would likely qualify for OEP include Kimi Raikkonen, Jenson Button and Kamui Kobayashi. Full-time NASCAR drivers usually are not eligible to make use of the OEP, and a provisional application have to be submitted 90 days before the event.
Kimi Raikkonen, Trackhouse Racing, Onx Homes / iLOQ Chevrolet Camaro
Photo: Nigel Kinrade / NKP / Motorsport Images
Review of your damaged vehicle policy
NASCAR's repeatedly controversial DVP program will probably be completely overhauled for the 2025 season. Previously, any damaged automotive that required a tow was immediately eliminated from the race. This became an issue because fully functional cars with flat tires couldn’t move in straight turns and needed to be towed, taking them out of the race. Now damaged cars could be towed to the garage and returned to the race later. According to the regulation bulletin, cars with punctured tires will even be towed to the garage for repairs.
The DVP clock stays energetic for teams attempting to make pit repairs. However, unlike lately, when the deadline expires, the automotive will not be eliminated from competition. The team must take it back to the garage where they’ll proceed with further repairs.
Kyle Busch, Richard Childress Racing, Zone Chevrolet Camaro, Ryan Blaney, Team Penske, Menards/PEAK Ford Mustang, William Byron, Hendrick Motorsports, Axalta Chevrolet Camaro, accident
Photo: Michael L. Levitt / Motorsport Images
Adjustments to playoff exemption
NASCAR waivers from the playoffs have been issued through the years for quite a lot of reasons. In almost every case, the driving force qualified for the playoffs no matter the rationale for requesting the waiver. A recent notable case was Kyle Larson, who missed the Coke 600 during his 2024 Indy 500 debut. Now, NASCAR will penalize those that seek exemptions from the playoffs for medical reasons. Exceptions also include the birth of a baby, family circumstances or age restrictions.
If a driver misses a race like Larson did in 2024, he can still receive an exemption but will lose all points earned within the playoffs. This signifies that they may not give you the option to maintain any play-off points amassed up thus far within the season, nor will they give you the option to earn any points in the long run. They will start ten postseason races with zero bonus points.
Justin Allgaier / Kyle Larson, Hendrick Motorsports, HendrickCars.com H1100 Chevrolet Camaro
Photo: Ben Earp / NKP / Motorsport Images
Race manipulation crackdowns and suspensions
Last yr there was a significant controversy throughout the penultimate race of the yr when the manufacturers gave the impression to be manipulating the race end in an try to get their automotive into the Championship 4. This resulted in huge penalties for all drivers and teams involved, but not the manufacturers themselves.
NASCAR will now goal the manufacturers themselves if a case of race tampering occurs again. They risk losing manufacturer points, wind tunnel hours and even RCFD miles. NASCAR also corrected the somewhat vague 100% rule, which stated that competitors must compete at 100% of their ability to attain one of the best possible finish. The wording of the rule now focuses more directly on manipulating the consequence of a championship event.
Additionally, NASCAR will allow suspensions resulting from technical violations to be deferred without the opportunity of appeal. Previously, before an adjournment might be granted, an appeal needed to be filed. However, all remaining suspensions will take effect immediately.
#24: William Byron, Hendrick Motorsports, Liberty University Chevrolet Camaro, #3: Austin Dillon, Richard Childress Racing, Bass Pro Shops Chevrolet Camaro
Photo: John K. Harrelson / NKP / Motorsport Images
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