The 2025 NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs are set to bring a fresh new lineup of tracks, with a 10-race postseason that features a mix of classic venues and new additions that create a diverse and challenging path to the championship.
First: The new tracks. World Wide Technology Raceway at Gateway and New Hampshire Motor Speedway both are in the postseason for 2025, in the Round of 16 and Round of 12, respectively.
WWTR joins the playoff schedule on Sept. 7. This 1.25-mile oval near St. Louis will test drivers with its varying layout, featuring different degrees of banking in Turns 1-2 and 3-4. The WWTR event follows the playoff kick-off at Darlington Raceway, which returns to host the opening race for the annual crown jewel Southern 500 at the “Track Too Tough to Tame.” The Labor Day weekend race marks Darlington’s return to the playoffs after a one-year stint as the regular-season finale, setting the stage for a grueling battle on its unique egg-shaped oval to prime the postseason.
“It’s great that World Wide Technology Raceway now has a playoff race,” said Kyle Busch, who won at the track in 2023. “I think it’s cool to have a different mix of tracks in the playoffs. NASCAR is looking for what’s best for the sport and I think WWTR fits that perfectly. There’s been a sellout crowd there every year since the first Cup race back in 2022. I think it’s going to be an awesome event and I’m really looking forward to it.”
The Round of 16 concludes on Sept. 13 with the Bristol Motor Speedway night race. The high-banked, half-mile “Thunder Valley” always produces intense short-track action under the lights, making it a fitting climax to the Round of 16 to eliminate the first four drivers.
Former playoff track New Hampshire also returns, opening the Round of 12 on Sept. 21. “The Magic Mile” presents a strenuous challenge where track position is king, with its flat corners and long straightaways that reward precise driving and strategic pit calls.
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Kansas Speedway hosts the second race of the Round of 12 on Sept. 28 followed by the Charlotte Motor Speedway Roval on Oct. 5 as the Round of 12 elimination race. This road course/oval hybrid combines technical turns with high-speed banking, creating an air of chaos that will determine who advances to the Round of 8.
Las Vegas Motor Speedway kicks off the Round of 8 on Oct. 12. The desert track’s wide racing surface and progressive banking often produce exciting, multi-groove racing as drivers fight for a spot in the championship race.
Talladega Superspeedway moves to the penultimate round, hosting its trademark brand of superspeedway racing on Oct. 19. The 2.66-mile tri-oval is known for its high speeds, big packs and unpredictable finishes, making it a pivotal race in the playoffs that could produce a surprise Championship 4 contender.
“I think for Talladega in particular, it’s one of our bigger events,” said Ben Kennedy, NASCAR executive vice president, chief venue and racing innovation officer. “If you look at our ratings and viewership numbers, very high. If you look at the attendance numbers, it’s one of the highest that we have of the entire season. So it’s a big event for us. And I think as you look at the Round of 8, having a huge market like Las Vegas, going to Talladega Superspeedway and from the feedback that we’ve received from the fans in the industry, having Martinsville as that cutoff race before we have the championship race at Phoenix has been positive for us.”
Martinsville Speedway, NASCAR’s oldest active track, remains in its spot to serve as the Round of 8 elimination race on Oct. 26. The tight, paper-clip-shaped short track often produces intense battles and dramatic moments as drivers vie for a spot in the Championship 4.
The season culminates again at Phoenix Raceway on Nov. 2, where the Championship 4 will battle for the title once again. The 1-mile tri-oval, with its one-of-a-kind dogleg configuration, has proven to be an excellent stage for crowning a champion since becoming the finale in 2020.