Insider hints at 2025 NASCAR Schedule release timeline, cites international talks as reason for delay

NASCAR's schedule for 2025 was set to be released in the second half of May this year, but as it stands, there might still be a few more weeks to go. A NASCAR insider has shared his thoughts on the reasons behind this delay.

NASCAR has been releasing schedules as late as September since 2021, with this year's schedule being announced on October 4, 2023. This delay facilitates new changes in the schedule that NASCAR has been bringing forward. This year, Iowa Speedway held its first Cup Race for the first time since 1953, and after a three-year interval, we also have stock car racing returning to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway later this month, at the Brickyard 400.

FOX Sports reporter Bob Pockrass recently hinted at the reasons behind the delay in announcing the schedule for 2025. Pockrass wrote on X (formerly Twitter):

"NASCAR had hoped to release schedule this week but it won't happen. Heard maybe next week or maybe later this month. NASCAR likes to have everything finalized before releasing the full schedule. Would think the international component (Mexico City? Montreal?) still needs work."

There has been speculation about NASCAR's willingness to schedule a Cup Race outside the United States. The last time this happened was in 1958 when NASCAR raced in Canada at the Circuit Trois-Rivières in Quebec, where Lee Petty won. Additionally, the Busch Series (now the Xfinity Series) was also briefly held in Mexico City from 2005 to 2008.

Apart from going international, there have been talks about changes in the playoff schedule for 2025. In an article by The Athletic, Jordan Bianchi stated that NASCAR will reportedly be hosting a playoff race at either the World Wide Technology Raceway or the New Hampshire Motor Speedway in 2025. Moreover, he also stated the possibility of the annual Labor Day race weekend at Darlington Raceway to go back into the playoffs.

Brad Keselowski wins the Goodyear 400 at Darlington Raceway (via Getty)

The Quaker State 400 was new to the 2024 playoff schedule, but earlier this year, NASCAR announced that it would be removing it from the playoffs and rescheduling it to June 28, 2025, while the first race remains scheduled for the spring. There have yet to be any decisions regarding Watkins Glen or Homestead-Miami.

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Dale Earnhardt Jr. shares his views on NASCAR's schedule in 2025

Two-time Xfinity Series champion Dale Earnhardt Jr. had a few things to say about the changes in the Cup Series schedule for the upcoming year. Earnhardt Jr.'s last race in the Cup Series was at Homestead-Miami

The former Cup Series driver, on the Dirty Mo Media podcast, expressed his disappointment with rumors about Homestead-Miami being out of the playoffs. He said,

"I'm disappointed about Homestead leaving the playoffs. We ran Homestead years ago early in the season and it was weird, felt weird. After having the season finale there for so long, it just doesn't feel right to put it anywhere else in the season."[00:41]

The race at Homestead-Miami is a favorite in the stock car racing fraternity. With speculations surrounding its future in the playoffs, NASCAR may face criticism for making this decision.