NASCAR is reportedly preparing to make a significant change to its Cup Series weekend format by substantially increasing more practice time, a move that could provide smaller teams more track time to test their setups.
According to recent reports from Jordan Bianchi of The Athletic, NASCAR is expected to double the Cup Series practice time from two 25-minute groups to a single 50-minute session full-field. Under the proposed changes, teams will be provided with two sets of tires so that they can make multiple, more effective runs during the session.
The report also suggest that the additional practice time is expected to be implemented from next month’s Cup Series race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway and remain for all events except at Daytona and Talladega. Superspeedway races don’t feature practice sessions.
Homestead’s practice time remains unchanged, as it already has a 50-minute practice window since it's a venue for the season's championship finale race.
Under the current format, the practice session generally lasts 20 to 25 minutes for most race weekends, split into two groups.
The increase in practice time is viewed as particularly valuable for smaller and mid-pack teams. With limited simulator resources compared to big teams like Hendrick Motorsports, Joe Gibbs Racing, and Team Penske, smaller organizations often rely more heavily on track time to fine-tune their setups.
An additional 25 minutes of practice could help smaller teams to find performance gains.
RFK Racing co-owner/driver Brad Keselowski has always been a strong supporter of more practice time. Ahead of the 2026 All-Star race, he expressed strong feelings about NASCAR's reduced practice, arguing that reduced practice has hurt driver development and made it more difficult for teams to improve their cars over a race weekend.
Here’s what Keselowski said (via motorsports.com):
Watch the 21st NASCAR Cup Series race of the season at North Wilkesboro on Sunday, July 19, at 7 pm ET on TNT Sports.
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