The 2025 NASCAR Cup Series season is fast approaching, and racing fans are eager for the action to kick off! If you’re wondering when the engines will roar back to life, we’ve got all the details about the upcoming season, including the schedule, how to watch, and major changes you’ll want to know about.
When Does the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series Start?
The NASCAR Cup Series season begins on February 3 with The Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium. Though this exhibition race doesn’t count for points, it marks the unofficial start to the season. The real action begins on February 16, with the legendary Daytona 500. Known for its high-stakes drama, this race is not just the beginning of the season but also sets the tone for the championship battle to come.
Broadcasting Changes You Can’t Miss
In 2025, there’s a major shift in the broadcasting schedule. Traditionally split between FOX and NBC, the season now has a new twist. The year will still begin with FOX, but things get interesting later in the season. After the All-Star Race at North Wilkesboro, the Cup Series will transition to Prime Video for a special five-race stretch, including the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte. From June’s Atlanta race, expect a move to TNT, and by August, USA will take over broadcasting for the rest of the season. This exciting shift promises a fresh viewing experience for fans across platforms.
The Playoffs and Mid-Season Tournament: Bigger Than Ever!
For over a decade, the NASCAR Cup Series has followed an elimination-style playoffs format to determine the champion. In 2025, the regular season will run from February’s Daytona 500 through August’s Coke Zero Sugar 400. Throughout this period, drivers will accumulate points to secure their spots in the Playoffs, which begin with 16 drivers battling it out in an intense elimination tournament. Every three races, the four lowest-scoring drivers will be eliminated until only four contenders remain. These final four will face off for the title, with whoever crosses the line first claiming victory.
But this year, there’s an added twist: a mid-season tournament worth $1 million. Starting in June, drivers will compete in a bracket-style competition with 32 drivers. Each race will determine which drivers progress to the next round, and the last man standing will pocket a huge payday. The tournament will kick off at Atlanta Motor Speedway and will span across Chicago, Sonoma, Dover, and Indianapolis.
2025 NASCAR Cup Series Full Schedule
Below is the full NASCAR Cup Series 2025 schedule, which promises a thrilling year of racing across iconic tracks.
- Feb 2: The Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium
- Feb 13: Duels at Daytona International Speedway
- Feb 16: Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway
- Feb 23: Ambetter Health 400 at Atlanta Motor Speedway
- Mar 2: EchoPark Automotive Grand Prix at Circuit of The Americas
- Mar 9: Shriners Children’s 500 at Phoenix Raceway
- Mar 16: Pennzoil 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway
- Mar 23: Straight Talk Wireless 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway
- Mar 30: NASCAR Cup Series race at Martinsville Speedway
- Apr 6: Goodyear 400 at Darlington Raceway
- Apr 13: Food City 500 at Bristol Motor Speedway
- Apr 27: Jack Link’s 500 at Talladega Superspeedway
- May 4: Autotrader EchoPark Automotive 400 at Texas Motor Speedway
- May 11: AdventHealth 400 at Kansas Speedway
- May 18: NASCAR All-Star Race at North Wilkesboro Speedway
- May 25: Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway
- June 1: NASCAR Cup Series Race at Nashville Superspeedway
- June 8: Firekeepers Casino 400 at Michigan International Speedway
- June 15: NASCAR Cup Series Race at Mexico City at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez
- June 22: NASCAR Cup Series Race at Pocono Raceway
- June 28: Quaker State 400 Available at Walmart at Atlanta Motor Speedway
- July 6: Grant Park 165 at the Chicago street circuit
- July 13: Toyota/Save Mart 350 at Sonoma Raceway
- July 20: NASCAR Cup Series Race at Dover Motor Speedway
- July 27: Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway
- Aug 3: Iowa Corn 350 Powered by Ethanol at Iowa Speedway
- Aug 10: NASCAR Cup Series Race at Watkins Glen International
- Aug 16: NASCAR Cup Series Race at Richmond Raceway
- Aug 23: Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona International Speedway
- Aug 31: Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway
- Sep 7: Enjoy Illinois 300 at World Wide Technology Raceway
- Sep 13: Bass Pro Shops Night Race at Bristol Motor Speedway
- Sep 21: NASCAR Cup Series Playoff Race at New Hampshire Speedway
- Sept 28: Hollywood Casino 400 at Kansas Speedway
- Oct 5: Bank of America ROVAL at the Charlotte road course
- Oct 12: South Point 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway
- Oct 19: NASCAR Cup Series Playoff Race at Talladega
- Oct 26: NASCAR Cup Series Race at Martinsville
- Nov 2: NASCAR Cup Series Championship at Phoenix Raceway
Get Ready for the 2025 NASCAR Season
With a fresh broadcasting format, the thrilling mid-season tournament, and an exciting championship battle ahead, 2025 promises to be a historic year for NASCAR. Make sure you don’t miss a minute of the action—the first race is just around the corner! Stay tuned for all the updates, and gear up for the ultimate stock car showdown.