NASCAR: 3 tracks removed from the playoff schedule for 2025

As a seasoned NASCAR enthusiast with over two decades of watching paint scrape by at breakneck speeds, I can’t help but feel a mix of excitement and trepidation as we approach the 2025 season. The calendar changes, while maintaining some familiar faces, have left me scratching my head more than once.

2025 NASCAR Cup Series season will see all tracks that hosted points races in 2024 returning for another event. The exception is Richmond Raceway, which will only have one points race instead of two. This adjustment has been made to accommodate Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez, a new addition to the schedule, slated to hold its inaugural Cup Series race in mid-June.

Nevertheless, there have been some adjustments made to the structure of the playoffs on the calendar.

In 2024, three events from the original 10-race, four-round playoff schedule have been removed for the 2025 season.

Changes made to 2025 NASCAR Cup Series playoff schedule

2024 playoffs commenced with races at Atlanta Motor Speedway and Watkins Glen International initially. However, the second race date for Atlanta has been pushed back into the regular season, resulting in two regular season dates for this track. On the other hand, Watkins Glen International, which had a one-year stint in the playoffs, is now returning to the regular season.

The city of Atlanta will hold two events on two separate Sundays: February 23 and June 28. The June event will kick off a five-race series during the season, which will be broadcasted on TNT Sports. Meanwhile, Watkins Glen is slated to host its sole annual race on August 10.

Initially, Homestead-Miami Speedway was where the Championship 4 races took place until 2019. However, it reappeared on the playoff schedule in 2022 for the round of 8. Now, instead of being a part of the playoffs, it has been shifted to an earlier position in the regular season. The race at Homestead-Miami Speedway is set for Sunday, March 23, making it the sixth points race of the year.

Three new race venues have been incorporated into the playoff itinerary: Darlington Raceway, World Wide Technology Raceway in Gateway, and New Hampshire Motor Speedway.

Since 2020, Darlington had always started the postseason, but in 2024, it was chosen to host the regular season finale. This change occurred because the season was extended by a week due to NBC’s dedication to broadcasting the Summer Olympics.

As a devoted fan, I can’t contain my excitement! Bristol Motor Speedway, where I’ve witnessed countless thrilling races, has secured the playoff-opening slot this season. Immediately following will be Gateway, a track that made its Cup Series debut in 2022 and has been hosting regular season races ever since. And to wrap up the first round, it’s Bristol once again, closing the chapter on an exciting opening act!

Regarding New Hampshire, it previously held playoff races, the last one being in 2017. However, it is set to welcome the first race of the Round of 12 this time around. The Round of 12 will still include races at Kansas Speedway and the Charlotte Motor Speedway Roval. Interestingly, Talladega Superspeedway has been shifted to the Round of 8 due to Homestead’s return to the regular season.

The Las Vegas Motor Speedway and Martinsville Speedway continue to be part of the final eight races, while Phoenix Raceway will once again play host to the Championship 4 contestants for the sixth consecutive year.

The 2025 NASCAR Cup Series kicks off on Sunday, February 16, with the 67th running of the Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway. Fox will broadcast live the famous “Great American Race” starting at 2:30 p.m. Eastern Time.

2024-12-28 16:02

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