NASCAR has issued a rule book bulletin detailing several sporting updates for the 2025 season, including a new Open Exemption Provisional, changes to the Damaged Vehicle Policy, Playoff Waivers, and other key competition policies.
Open Exemption Provisional (OEP)
NASCAR introduced the Open Exemption Provisional, a guaranteed starting spot for world-class drivers from outside the series who enter a NASCAR Cup Series race.
- Drivers using the OEP will not be eligible for race points, playoff points, or prize money.
- If an OEP car wins, it will receive the trophy and All-Star eligibility but not count toward playoff eligibility. The runner-up will inherit first-place points but no playoff points.
- Full-time NASCAR drivers are ineligible, and teams must request the OEP 90 days before the event.
Damaged Vehicle Policy (DVP) Updates
- Teams can now tow cars to the garage without being automatically out of the race.
- The 7-minute repair clock (8 minutes at Atlanta) remains for pit road fixes, but there is no time limit for garage repairs.
- If the repair clock expires before the car crosses the pit-out yellow line, a penalty will be issued.
Playoff Waivers
- If a driver is granted a Playoff Waiver for missing a race, they will forfeit all Playoff Points earned prior to the Playoffs and start with 2,000 points.
- Medical reasons, birth of a child, family emergencies, and age restrictions are the only exceptions to this rule.
Additional Rule Changes
- Performance Obligation: Updated language around the 100% rule, now focusing on manipulating race outcomes rather than effort levels.
- OEM Penalties: Manufacturers violating testing, wind tunnel, or roster policies may lose Manufacturers Points, wind tunnel hours, or RCFD runs.
- Suspension Deferral: Technical penalty suspensions can be deferred to the next race, but all other suspensions take effect immediately.
- Practice & Qualifying: The new formats announced in December have been formally added to the rule book.
These changes aim to maintain competitive integrity while allowing for new opportunities, such as the Open Exemption Provisional, which could attract global racing talent to NASCAR.
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