NASCAR officials have announced significant changes to the Cup Series Rule Book, headlined by the introduction of a new provisional starting position that could expand the field to 41 cars for select races. The changes, released Friday, mark substantial updates to various aspects of competition for the 2025 season.

The new “Open Exemption Provisional” (OEP) creates an additional starting berth beyond the current 40-car maximum. This provision, similar to short-track racing’s “promoter’s choice provisional,” will require pre-approval from NASCAR and will evaluate drivers based on their racing experience and achievements. While OEP entries can compete for race wins and All-Star Race eligibility, they won’t be eligible for championship points, prize money, or playoff qualification.

This rule change comes at a particularly relevant time for the upcoming Daytona 500, scheduled for February 16, where several non-chartered “open” entries are already confirmed, with more announcements expected.

In another significant shift, NASCAR has revamped its Damaged Vehicle Policy for the Cup Series. Starting in 2025, cars will be allowed to continue racing after receiving repairs in the garage – a notable departure from previous rules. The seven-minute repair limit (eight minutes for Atlanta Motor Speedway events) will still apply for pit road repairs, but garage repairs will no longer face time restrictions. However, teams must complete pit road repairs within the time limit before returning to the race, or face penalties.

The sanctioning body has also modified its playoff eligibility rules. Under certain circumstances, drivers granted waivers will forfeit regular-season playoff points, starting the playoffs with a maximum of 2,000 points. This forfeiture applies to drivers who receive suspensions or voluntarily skip races, but exceptions exist for medical absences, family emergencies, or age-restriction cases.

Additional updates include clarified penalty structures for manufacturer violations, which may result in reduced wind-tunnel testing time or computational fluid dynamics test runs. NASCAR also refined its “100% rule,” shifting focus from “artificially altered finishing positions” to competitors who “manipulate the outcome” of events.

These comprehensive changes reflect NASCAR’s ongoing efforts to enhance competition while maintaining sporting integrity as the series heads into the 2025 season. The updates particularly impact the season-opening Daytona 500, where the expanded field size could create additional opportunities for non-chartered teams to participate in NASCAR’s premier event.

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