NASCAR announced a sweeping revision of its 2025 Cup Series playoff schedule, pulling New Hampshire Motor Speedway from the postseason after a streak that began in 1993. The 1.058‑mile New Hampshire track, which has hosted races for more than three decades, will now run its traditional Dollar General 301 on Sunday, August 23, but only as a regular‑season event.
Playoff reshuffle details
In the new lineup, Homestead‑Miami Speedway steps in to host the championship finale, pushing the season‑ending race back by six weeks. The move follows a similar shift for Charlotte Motor Speedway’s Roval configuration, which returns to its standard oval layout for the first time in nine years. Meanwhile, Phoenix Raceway’s title decider will be moved up three weeks, Kansas Speedway’s event will be advanced by one week, and Las Vegas Motor Speedway’s race will be shifted forward by two weeks.
The adjustments affect a total of 26 races in the 2025 regular season, with the Dollar General 301 serving as the penultimate event before the playoffs begin. Tracks such as Darlington Raceway, World Wide Technology Raceway at Gateway and Bristol Motor Speedway remain absent from the 2025 playoff slate but are slated to re‑enter the postseason picture next year.
Looking ahead
NASCAR has indicated that New Hampshire’s exclusion from the 2025 playoffs is temporary; the venue is expected to reclaim a playoff spot in 2026 alongside Richmond Raceway and Watkins Glen International. The realignment reflects the series’ effort to balance historic venues with competitive scheduling, while also responding to evolving market and fan‑engagement considerations.