NASCAR Cup Series drivers will have a little more time to prepare for the 2025 Daytona 500, thanks to a 50-minute pre-qualifying practice being added to the schedule.
The extra session will take place on the morning of Feb. 12, kicking off the activities ahead of the 67th running of the “Great American Race” on Feb. 16.
Cup Series director Brad Moran said the additional practice period will give rookies and new team/driver combos more time for on-track orientation.
“With the Daytona 500 being the biggest race of the NASCAR season and our first race, we felt that the extra practice would be good,” Moran said in a news release Thursday. “We have new drivers coming up that are going to be running Cup full-time as well as some drivers who might just show up to run the Daytona 500. It’s a good opportunity to get out on the track, get some track time, shake the cars down prior to qualifying that night, a little more content for the fans and just to get us set up for a great week of racing with everything going on. It’s just going to set the tone for the entire week.”
The complete 2025 Daytona Speedweek schedule (all times ET):
Wednesday, Feb. 12:
10:05-10:55 a.m. — Cup Series opening practice
Noon-7 p.m. — Daytona 500 Media Day
8:15 p.m. — Cup Series pole qualifying
Thursday, Feb. 13:
4:05-4:55 p.m. — ARCA Menards Series practice
5:05-5:55 p.m. — Craftsman Truck Series practice
7 p.m. — Cup Series: Duel 1 qualifying race (60 laps, 150 miles)
8:45 p.m. (approx.) — Cup Series: Duel 2 qualifying race (60 laps, 150 miles)
Friday, Feb. 14:
1:30-2:15 p.m. — ARCA Menards Series qualifying
3 p.m. — Craftsman Truck Series qualifying
4:35-5:25 p.m. — Xfinity Series practice
5:35-6:25 p.m. — Cup Series second practice
7:30 p.m. — Craftsman Truck Series race: Fresh From Florida 250 (100 laps, 250 miles)
Saturday, Feb. 15:
10 a.m. — Xfinity Series qualifying
Noon — ARCA Menards Series race (80 laps, 200 miles)
3:05-3:55 p.m. — Cup Series final practice
5 p.m. — Xfinity Series race: United Rentals 300 (120 laps, 300 miles)
Sunday, Feb. 16:
2:30 p.m. — Cup Series race: 67th Daytona 500 (200 laps, 500 miles)
–Field Level Media