NASCAR President Steve Phelps Defends Controversial 2025 Schedule Changes Amid Fan Backlash
NASCAR President Steve Phelps has spoken out in defense of the significant changes to the 2025 season schedule, despite criticism from some fans and stakeholders. These adjustments showcase NASCAR’s ongoing strategy to innovate and diversify its racing calendar, a trend that has sparked both excitement and debate.
Major 2025 Schedule Changes
Over recent years, NASCAR has reimagined its schedule to align with new audience preferences and market trends. Notable innovations like the LA Clash at the Colosseum and the Chicago Street Race are prime examples of NASCAR’s willingness to experiment with unconventional venues.
For 2025, the most notable changes include:
- Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium: NASCAR will kick off the season at this historic venue in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, marking a return to Bowman Gray for the first time since 1971.
- Mexico City Debut: The Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez will host a points-paying race, the first of its kind outside the U.S. since 1958, as NASCAR looks to expand its international footprint.
- Playoff Reshuffle: Tracks like Gateway (Madison, Ill.) and New Hampshire Motor Speedway will now feature in the postseason, providing fresh challenges for drivers.
Steve Phelps Addresses Criticism
During his remarks at Race Industry Week, Phelps doubled down on NASCAR’s commitment to schedule innovation, emphasizing the importance of exploring new markets and responding to fan demand.
“The one thing I will say is that schedule variation is going to continue. We are not going to rest on this schedule and just say, ‘Hey it’s just this schedule and that’s the way it’s going to be,'” he stated.
Phelps also acknowledged the importance of international and domestic expansion. “Looking at different marketplaces, whether it’s north of the border, whether it is other opportunities domestically, or other places around the world, all of those things are being looked at this particular point,” he explained.
Highlighting the success of past ventures, he pointed to the Chicago Street Race, despite its weather challenges. “What our team has done from a schedule variation standpoint, including Mexico City, I think really works… It’s a nod to what our media partners want and what our race fans want.”
A Look at the Full 2025 NASCAR Schedule
Here’s the complete 2025 NASCAR Cup Series schedule, including the revamped playoff format:
Regular Season
- Feb. 2: Clash at Bowman Gray
- Feb. 16: Daytona 500
- Feb. 23: Atlanta
- March 2: Circuit of The Americas
- March 9: Phoenix
- March 16: Las Vegas
- March 23: Homestead-Miami
- March 30: Martinsville
- April 6: Darlington
- April 13: Bristol
- April 27: Talladega
- May 4: Texas
- May 11: Kansas
- May 18: North Wilkesboro (All-Star Race)
- May 25: Charlotte
- June 1: Nashville
- June 8: Michigan
- June 15: Mexico City
- June 22: Pocono
- June 28: Atlanta
- July 6: Chicago
- July 13: Sonoma
- July 20: Dover
- July 27: Indianapolis
- Aug. 3: Iowa
- Aug. 10: Watkins Glen
- Aug. 16: Richmond
- Aug. 23: Daytona
Playoffs
- Aug. 31: Darlington
- Sept. 7: Gateway (Madison, Ill.)
- Sept. 13: Bristol
- Sept. 21: New Hampshire
- Sept. 28: Kansas
- Oct. 5: Charlotte (Road Course)
- Oct. 12: Las Vegas
- Oct. 19: Talladega
- Oct. 26: Martinsville
- Nov. 2: Phoenix
With these bold changes, NASCAR is betting big on diversity and innovation, hoping to attract new fans while maintaining its core audience. Whether the strategy succeeds remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: NASCAR is steering toward an exciting, albeit controversial, future.
