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3 clusters · 17 sources · 21 days · First seen 26 days ago · Last updated 5 days ago

NASCAR practice session extension 2026

Overview

In July 2026, NASCAR announced a change to its Cup Series practice format that will take effect at the August 23 event at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. Split‑group practice sessions are being eliminated and replaced with a single 50‑minute open session for all non‑superspeedway races, with an additional practice session whose length was not disclosed. Teams will also receive a second set of tires for the extended session, while existing impound rules remain unchanged.

The adjustment is aimed at giving mid‑size teams, younger drivers and rookies more track time to fine‑tune car setups, a need highlighted after practice time was sharply reduced during the COVID‑19 pandemic. Drivers such as Denny Hamlin expressed skepticism, whereas others, including Shane van Gisbergen and rookies Connor Zilisch, Todd Gilliland and Noah Gragson, welcomed the added laps in the Next Gen car. Superspeedway events and the Homestead‑Miami finale are exempt from the new format.

As the transition approaches, the Cook Out 400 at Richmond Raceway will serve as the final event using the split-group format, where drivers divide a 50-minute session into two 25-minute groups. Following Richmond, the full 50-minute allotment will be implemented. Drivers such as Cody Ware have noted that expanded time is highly valuable for conducting mock qualifying runs and adjusting car balance, citing previous tests at Iowa Speedway as evidence that longer runs allow teams to gather more data and increase confidence.

Entities

Denny Hamlin · Christopher Bell · Austin Dillon · Ty Gibbs · Rick Ware Racing

Timeline

5 days ago

[SPORTS] 13 sources
Richmond Raceway hosts NASCAR Cup Series Cook Out 400
The NASCAR Cup Series heads to Richmond Raceway for the Cook Out 400 on August 15, 2026, a pivotal race for drivers fighting to secure positions in the upcoming Chase playoffs.
23 days ago

[SPORTS] 2 sources
NASCAR expands practice sessions to 50 minutes for all non‑superspeedway races
NASCAR will use single 50‑minute practice sessions with an extra tire set for all non‑superspeedway Cup races starting Aug 23, helping mid‑size teams and young drivers.
26 days ago

[SPORTS] 2 sources
NASCAR Extends Practice Sessions to 50 Minutes for 2026 Season
Starting in August 2026, NASCAR will replace split‑group practice with a single 50‑minute session (excluding superspeedways) to give smaller teams more track time, a move met with mixed reactions.

Sources

autoaction.com.au · autogear.pt · crimeandclues.com · essentiallysports.com · hindi.sportskeeda.com · ilpallonegonfiato.it · liveblogwp.wtop.com · msn.foxsports.com · nbcsports1060.com · predictem.com · si.com · speedwaydigest.com · speedwaymedia.com · sportskeeda.com · sportsnaut.com · theracingexperts.com · vsin.com