Daytona 500 schedule to include extra Cup Series practice

Field Level Media|published: Thu 12th December, 11:52 2024

William Byron and Daytona International Speedway President Frank Kelleher lift the Dayutona 500 trophy Victory Lane, Monday night February 19, 2024 after winning the Daytona 500.

NASCAR Cup Series drivers will have a little more time to prepare for the 2025 Daytona 500, thanks to a 50-minute pre-qualifying practice being added to the schedule.

The extra session will take place on the morning of Feb. 12, kicking off the activities ahead of the 67th running of the "Great American Race" on Feb. 16.

Cup Series director Brad Moran said the additional practice period will give rookies and new team/driver combos more time for on-track orientation.

"With the Daytona 500 being the biggest race of the NASCAR season and our first race, we felt that the extra practice would be good," Moran said in a news release Thursday. "We have new drivers coming up that are going to be running Cup full-time as well as some drivers who might just show up to run the Daytona 500. It's a good opportunity to get out on the track, get some track time, shake the cars down prior to qualifying that night, a little more content for the fans and just to get us set up for a great week of racing with everything going on. It's just going to set the tone for the entire week."

The complete 2025 Daytona Speedweek schedule (all times ET):

Wednesday, Feb. 12:

10:05-10:55 a.m. -- Cup Series opening practice

Noon-7 p.m. -- Daytona 500 Media Day

8:15 p.m. -- Cup Series pole qualifying

Thursday, Feb. 13:

4:05-4:55 p.m. -- ARCA Menards Series practice

5:05-5:55 p.m. -- Craftsman Truck Series practice

7 p.m. -- Cup Series: Duel 1 qualifying race (60 laps, 150 miles)

8:45 p.m. (approx.) -- Cup Series: Duel 2 qualifying race (60 laps, 150 miles)

Friday, Feb. 14:

1:30-2:15 p.m. -- ARCA Menards Series qualifying