Tentative 2025 NASCAR Playoff Schedule Moves Talladega to Semifinal Round

The 2025 NASCAR Cup Series playoff schedule is set to undergo significant changes, with Talladega Superspeedway, one of the sport’s most challenging tracks, moving to the semifinal round, according to a preliminary schedule obtained by The Athletic.

Since the introduction of NASCAR’s four-round knockout playoff format in 2014, Talladega has consistently been placed in the second round. This positioning has faced criticism from drivers due to the track’s unpredictable nature, which often results in large multi-car accidents and leaves drivers feeling as though they have little control. Despite this, Talladega remains a fan favorite, with its races frequently drawing high television ratings.

The repositioning of Talladega is just one of several adjustments expected for next year’s 10-race playoff schedule, which gradually reduces the 16-driver field every three races.

According to prior reports from The Athletic, Darlington, Gateway, and New Hampshire will now host playoff races, replacing Atlanta, Watkins Glen, and Homestead-Miami, which will move to the regular season.

NASCAR is working to finalize and release the entire 2025 Cup Series schedule soon, with industry insiders noting that finalizing a deal for an international points race remains one of the last challenges. NASCAR executives have expressed interest in adding such a race, with the last Cup points race outside the U.S. occurring in 1958 in Toronto, Ontario.

Discussions with race promoters in Mexico City and Montreal are ongoing, with Mexico City currently leading. If finalized, the Mexico City race is tentatively scheduled for June 8, 2025, though this may change. A race in Montreal would likely be scheduled for later in the year.

The tentative 2025 playoff schedule is as follows:

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