Why the Change Matters
NASCAR has lengthened non‑superspeedway Cup Series practice sessions from 25 to 50 minutes and added an extra set of tires, a move first rolled out at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.
The extra track time is intended to give younger drivers, who have seen limited on‑track action since the COVID‑19 hiatus, a chance to accumulate real laps in the Next Gen car and to let smaller teams experiment with setups before race day.
Impact on Young Drivers
Names such as Connor Zilisch, Todd Gilliland, Noah Gragson and Riley Herbst, who have faced steep learning curves and high DNF rates, are expected to benefit from the additional minutes behind the wheel.
More laps mean more data, more muscle memory and a better feel for a car that handles differently from its predecessors, potentially accelerating their adaptation curve.
Support for Mid‑Tier Teams
Teams that do not carry the same manufacturer backing, including RFK Racing, Richard Childress Racing, Trackhouse Racing and Front Row Motorsports, will also have more time to fine‑tune aerodynamic parts and tire strategies.
The extra session could level the playing field, allowing these outfits to close the gap with the traditionally dominant organizations and to field more competitive entries when the green flag drops.