NASCAR adds special provisional that could expand Cup Series field to 41 cars

The NASCAR Cup Series has been locked in at 40 cars max per race since the charter system was introduced, now that’s changing. At least, it has the potential to change depending on the race and circumstances.

Today, NASCAR released a number of new rule changes for the Cup Series. Among those changes is a new “open exemption provisional.” This is like a promoter’s provisional that many short-tracks have around the country.

According to Jeff Gluck of The Athletic, this new provisional works much in the same way as a promoter’s provisional. If there is a non-NASCAR driver attempting to make a Cup Series race, officials can expand the field from 40 to 41 cars to allow that driver and team to race.

So, for instance, Helio Castroneves in the Daytona 500. It is a big deal for NASCAR to have the four-time Indianapolis 500 champ in the big race. Trackhouse Racing wants him to make it on speed. But what if he doesn’t?

According to Gluck, that would mean an extra spot in the field could be created by NASCAR to allow that special driver to enter the race. That’s a big deal.

FOLKS — there's more — this wouldn't just be a provisional like a past champion's provisional where it's a spot in the 40-car field.

IT IS AN EXTRA SPOT. A 41st car!

"A 41st starting position may be added if a team utilizes an Open Exemption Provisional as long as the team…

— Jeff Gluck (@jeff_gluck) January 10, 2025

A team and driver must request the provisional and NASCAR must approve it before the 41st spot is added. While we won’t see this often, if ever, it is an interesting new rule. It also kind of shows that the 40-car cap on races is largely arbitrary. But that’s a point for another day.

NASCAR Cup Series changes Damaged Vehicle Policy

Today NASCAR released a flurry of new rule changes ahead of the 2025 Daytona 500. Among them was the newly redone Damaged Vehicle Policy. Fans will like this one.

Teams can now go to the garage to make repairs. There will be no DNFs as a result of the Damaged Vehicle Policy moving forward. If a car is unable to drive off the track to pit road or the garage on its own power and needs a tow, it will be towed directly to the garage.

The seven-minute clock will remain. However, instead of being out of the race after those seven minutes on pit road, teams will simply have to go to the garage for repairs.

Last season, Ryan Blaney, Josh Berry, and others were taken off the track for the DVP during the playoffs. It appeared, at least in Berry’s case, that it was simply due to flat tires. Then we saw multiple playoff drivers towed away to pit road at Talladega in the same playoffs. This seeks to rectify those controversies moving forward.