NASCAR has rolled out a series of major changes for the 2025 season in a recently issued rules bulletin, aimed at addressing common pain points for both participants and fans. These changes span several key aspects of the sport, including new provisions for drivers, eligibility adjustments, and policy overhauls. Here’s a breakdown of the most significant updates and their implications for the upcoming season.
Open Exemption Provisional (OEP)
NASCAR has introduced the Open Exemption Provisional (OEP) for the 2025 season. This new rule guarantees a starting spot in select races for world-class drivers entering the NASCAR Cup Series. However, any driver using the OEP will not be eligible to earn points or prize money.
A noteworthy feature of this rule is that if a driver enters the race via the OEP and wins, the second-place finisher will receive first-place points (excluding playoff bonus points). The points distribution continues downward for the rest of the race results, with third place earning second-place points, and so on.
One of the notable beneficiaries of this change is four-time Indianapolis 500 winner Helio Castroneves, who will be locked into the Daytona 500 after securing a spot with Trackhouse Racing Team in the Project 91 entry. While he can still race his way into the event on merit, utilizing the OEP will expand the Daytona 500 field to 41 cars. Other drivers who could have been eligible for the OEP in previous seasons include Kimi Raikkonen, Jenson Button, and Kamui Kobayashi.
Full-time NASCAR drivers are not permitted to use the OEP, and the provisional must be requested at least 90 days prior to an event.
Overhaul of the Damaged Vehicle Policy (DVP)
NASCAR has completely overhauled its Damaged Vehicle Policy (DVP) for the 2025 season. Previously, a car that required towing due to damage was immediately eliminated from the race. This rule became controversial when fully drivable cars, especially those with flat tires after spins, were forced out of the competition.
Under the new policy, cars can now be towed to the garage and allowed to return to the race after repairs. Additionally, cars with flat tires will also be towed to the garage for fixes. While the DVP clock remains in effect for teams trying to repair cars on pit road, the team is no longer eliminated from competition when the clock expires. Instead, they can continue repairs back in the garage.
Changes to Playoff Waiver Eligibility
NASCAR's playoff waiver system has also undergone adjustments. Historically, drivers who missed races for reasons like personal issues or other special circumstances could still remain eligible for the playoffs. Now, however, NASCAR will only allow playoff waivers for medical reasons, as well as for life events such as the birth of a child, a family emergency, or age restrictions.
A key update stipulates that if a driver misses a race, such as Kyle Larson’s absence during the 2024 Coke 600 due to his Indy 500 debut, they will still receive a waiver but will forfeit all of their accumulated playoff points. This means they will start the postseason with zero bonus points, with no ability to accumulate additional playoff points for the remainder of the season.
Stricter Race Manipulation Policies and Manufacturer Penalties
NASCAR has introduced stricter measures aimed at eliminating race manipulation. This follows a significant controversy during the 2024 season when manufacturers allegedly influenced the outcome of a race to benefit a particular car’s chances of qualifying for the Championship 4.
In response, NASCAR has made manufacturers themselves accountable for any such race manipulation. The new penalties could include loss of manufacturer points, reductions in wind tunnel hours, and limitations on RCFD runs. Additionally, the previous vague "100% rule," which required drivers to compete at full ability, has now been refined to specifically target manipulation of championship outcomes.
These sweeping changes to NASCAR’s rules aim to enhance the fairness and integrity of the sport, while also addressing longstanding issues that have frustrated participants and fans. From new provisions for high-profile drivers to major updates in race policies, the 2025 season promises to offer a more competitive and balanced environment. The impact of these changes will be closely watched as the season unfolds.