...
By Lydia Mee
Sports Contributing Writer
0
Share
Newsweek is a Trust Project member
See more of our trusted coverage when you search.Prefer Newsweek on Googleto see more of our trusted coverage when you search.
NASCAR's 2025 Cup Series playoffs are set to feature substantial changes, most notably with the Talladega Superspeedway's playoff position moving to the semifinal round. This move, initially reported by The Athletic, reveals a surprising move from the track's long-standing place in the second round since the four-round knockout format's inception in 2014.
Talladega Superspeedway will now reportedly take a more pivotal role later in the series. Races at the iconic track are often dramatic with multi-car accidents which have often been a point of contention among drivers who have frequently voiced concerns about the lack of control they have over race outcomes. The decision to reposition Talladega to the later stages of the playoffs could be seen as an attempt to heighten the drama of the championship's closing rounds.
Further embellishing the 2025 playoff lineup are several other noteworthy adjustments. New tracks such as Darlington, Gateway, and New Hampshire are slated to transition from hosting regular-season races to becoming playoff venues. This shuffle sees Atlanta, Watkins Glen, and Homestead-Miami relocating to the regular season schedule.
Read More on Sports
Plans for the complete 2025 Cup Series schedule are still being finalized, with NASCAR expected to release more details soon.
...
Moreover, in a nod to NASCAR's increasing global outreach, there are ongoing discussions about introducing a NASCAR Cup Series race in Mexico City, potentially marking the series' return to international competition since the last such event in Toronto in 1958. Mexico City is currently leading in the bid over Montreal, with a provisional date set for June 8, 2025.
Reported 2025 NASCAR Playoff Calendar
Round 1
Aug. 31: Darlington Raceway
Sept. 7: World Wide Technology Raceway at Gateway
Sept. 13: Bristol Motor Speedway
Round 2
Sept. 21: New Hampshire Motor Speedway
Sept. 28: Kansas Speedway
Oct. 5: Charlotte Motor Speedway Roval
Round 3
Oct. 12: Las Vegas Motor Speedway
Oct. 19: Talladega Superspeedway
Oct. 26: Martinsville Speedway
Championship
Nov. 2: Phoenix Raceway
Current 2024 NASCAR Cup Series Standings Ahead of The Cook Out 400 At Richmond
- Kyle Larson - 749 points
- Denny Hamlin - 706 points
- William Byron - 654 points
- Christopher Bell - 651 points
- Ryan Blaney - 676 points
- Chase Elliott - 739 points
- Tyler Reddick - 734 points
- Brad Keselowski - 615 points
- Alex Bowman - 606 points
- Joey Logano - 525 points
- Daniel Suarez - 460 points
- Austin Cindric - 438 points
- Martin Truex Jr. - 653 points
- Ty Gibbs - 587 points
- Chris Buescher - 562 points
- Ross Chastain - 552 points
- Bubba Wallace - 545 points
- Chase Briscoe - 469 points
- Kyle Busch - 440 points
- Todd Gilliland - 434 points
- Michael McDowell - 404 points
- Josh Berry - 388 points
- Noah Gragson - 383 points
- Carson Hocevar - 383 points
- Ricky Stenhouse Jr. - 375 points
- Ryan Preece - 329 points
- Erik Jones - 329 points
- Corey LaJoie - 324 points
- Justin Haley - 319 points
- Daniel Hemric - 316 points
- John Hunter Nemechek - 307 points
- Austin Dillon - 294 points
- Zane Smith - 248 points
- Harrison Burton - 238 points
- Kaz Grala - 166 points
- Cody Ware - 47 points
- Joey Hand - 43 points
- Jimmie Johnson - 39 points
- Derek Kraus - 32 points
- David Ragan - 17 points
- Kamui Kobayashi - 8 points
- Will Brown - 6 points
- Cam Waters - 2 points
View 0 Comments
Submit Correction
View Editorial & AI Guidelines