With only a single regular season race left, 2024 is entering its final stage. The playoffs are just around the corner, as is the NASCAR schedule for 2025. The $7.7 Billion media rights deal that was signed last year in November will see the full impact of its fruition. With new media companies like Amazon and TNT hopping on board, the sport will also witness significant schedule changes.
With a few tracks moving to a different time and a few dropping out, fans would see a revamped package. Probably the biggest update is the Cup Series accommodating an international points race for the first time in over 60 years. Let us delve into some of these huge changes.
NASCAR schedule: what to look out for
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The new era for next season holds a truckload of surprises for NASCAR fans. Some may be favorable, some downright exciting, and some directly attacking what the fans want to see. Nevertheless, the NASCAR schedule is a rollercoaster ride and the thrill is guaranteed. First off, the usual suspects would be the same. The Daytona 500 would flag off the season on February 16th, setting the tone of the season with wildcard superspeedway racing. Charlotte would be on Memorial Day weekend, and Phoenix would still be the championship race.
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North Wilkesboro Speedway would host the All-Star Race for the third time in a row. The Chicago Street Race will also flag off for the third time, although talks are afoot about San Diego getting the street race stamp. On the other hand, NASCAR’s schedule changes can be stunning. Both Gateway and New Hampshire would shift from June dates to occupying first-round and quarter-final playoff rounds respectively. Then in a scary shocker for drivers, Talledega would be in the semi-finals – bound to be a nail-biting experience at the cusp of the championship.
The Homestead-Miami playoff race would move to the regular season in March. This is likely to attract controversy as the South Florida 1.5-mile oval is a fan-favorite track. Darlington would be the playoff opener and Daytona would go back to being the regular-season championship race. Instead of the LA Coliseum, Bowman Gray would host the Clash race. But probably the most lucrative change in the NASCAR schedule is a points-paying race in Mexico City.
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Ben Kennedy, NASCAR’s executive VP, highlighted this as the belle of the ball. “We…went to new markets like Nashville and Austin, Texas. We went to the Coliseum for the Clash. … We went to our first street race in downtown Chicago, and this is going to be another first for us in a lot of ways. This is going to be certainly a monumental event for us, the first time we’re going south of the border.” And in tune with all these humongous changes, the sport also shuffled its internal roles.
NASCAR is preparing integrally for 2025
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After all, it means catering to the most lucrative TV deal since the early 2000s. The 2025 NASCAR schedule marks a resounding recovery from the 2008 recession impact that took a long time to go away. So the sanctioning body is rolling up its sleeves to make the next season a grand success. Its agenda includes a major restructuring in its executive fold. This includes both the elevation of profiles and layoffs within the organization. As part of these changes, only three people would report to NASCAR President Steve Phelps, including COO Steve O’Donnell.
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Phelps justified these big moves, saying they “will allow me to focus more on the strategic vision and global expansion of NASCAR-owned racing properties, which I believe to be the best and most exciting in the world.” For instance, Brian Herbst, SVP of media & productions, has been promoted to EVP and chief media & revenue officer. Then Ben Kennedy, SVP of racing development & strategy and the scion of the France family will be the EVP and chief venue & racing innovations officer. Other significant promotions involved officials like Tim Clark, Scott Prime, and Michelle Byron.
Apparently, the sanctioning body is ushering in some vast winds of change for 2025. We can only wait and see the thrills and surprises that lie in store for us next season.