New NASCAR rules update: Everything you need to know

NASCAR has released updates to its rule book ahead of the 2025 season. The officials made changes to several areas concerning the number of entries in select races, the Damaged Vehicle Policy (DVP), and playoff points, among others.

While fans expected changes to the playoff format following Joey Logano's controversial championship run, the system in the postseason remained the same.

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#1 Open Exemption Provisional

The first rule book update is the Open Exemption Provisional (OEP). As the name suggests, the rule allows the starting grid to expand to more than 40 cars under the OEP, subject to NASCAR's pre-approval.

This means the team granted the OEP does not have to compete against other open teams to qualify for the race. Teams can request the OEP, and NASCAR will choose which open team it wishes to field. Factors such as racing experience and accolades will be considered for granting the guaranteed entry.

For the 2025 Daytona 500, four-time Indy 500 winner Helio Castroneves will benefit from the OEP. His No. 91 Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet Camaro gets a guaranteed spot in Sunday's race.

IndyCar star Helio Castroneves is the first driver to earn the new OEP - Source: Getty

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#2 Damaged Vehicle Policy

Next up is the DVP following the 2024 season where the policy was criticized. The updated DVP allows cars to continue racing after sustaining heavy damage.

While the seven-minute time limit still stands, NASCAR can no longer disqualify teams for exceeding the limit. Instead, the damaged car must be sent to the garage for further repair. Any car unable to drive on its four wheels will be towed to the garage.

The updated rule addressed last year's issues concerning the DVP, especially during the postseason. Notably, NASCAR's biggest crash in Cup history at Talladega (YellaWood 500) challenged the policy and worried drivers about disqualification.

The DVP is relaxed starting the 2025 season - Source: Imagn

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#3 Playoff waiver

Playoff waivers have been a long issue in the sport, particularly when Kyle Busch won the 2015 Cup Series championship after missing the first 11 races of the season. This time, NASCAR will be more unforgiving towards drivers who are granted the waiver.

Any driver granted the waiver will forfeit any playoff points earned in the regular season. They will start the postseason with a baseline maximum of 2,000 points in the reset standings.

However, the updated rule only applies to drivers granted a waiver after a suspension or if they skip a race. It exempts drivers who have a medical emergency and family emergency, including missing a race for the birth of a child.

Kyle Busch won his first championship in 2015 following a playoff waiver issue - Source: Getty

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#4 OEMs

NASCAR implemented more stringent rules against OEMs (original equipment manufacturers) starting the 2025 season. OEMs who violate the rules could result in manufacturers' points loss or a reduction in aerodynamic testing time such as wind tunnel and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) test runs.

Perhaps this updated rule addressed the controversial penultimate race at Martinsville Speedway last season. Multiple teams and drivers were penalized for manipulating the race by giving others an advantage instead of racing "100%."

Speaking of which, the officials adjusted the wording for violating the "100% rule" from "artificially alter the finishing positions" to "manipulate the outcome" of the event.

Some Chevrolet and Toyota drivers were penalized for race manipulation in the 2024 Xfinity 500 at Martinsville - Source: Imagn

In addition, NASCAR formally implemented the updated practice and qualifying procedures introduced in December.