NASCAR to allow Cup teams to replace front brake pads, rotors after practice, qualifying

NASCAR announced Wednesday that officials will allow Cup Series teams to replace front brake pads and rotors after practice and qualifying beginning at Phoenix Raceway this weekend. The updated procedure comes a month after World Wide Technology Raceway -- a flat, heavy-braking oval similar to Phoenix -- where multiple Cup cars suffered brake failures during the Enjoy Illinois 300 on Sept. 13. RELATED: Phoenix weekend schedule | Cup standings "We've elected that we're gonna let the teams at least look at their brakes and if they need to make a pad change, which is uncommon for us to do on an impound practice," Cup Series Senior Managing Director Brad Moran said on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio's "The Morning Drive" Wednesday. "But we've got a procedure set up to do that." Toward the end of the 2025 season, NASCAR announced all tracks shorter than 1.5 miles in length would have the 750-horsepower setup, increased from the baseline 670. Phoenix was the first traditional oval for Cup to run the package in March, won by Ryan Blaney, who currently sits fifth in The Chase presented by Mobil 1. Moran added that there is no criteria for what will constitute a brake change for the teams. "There's no limit," Moran said. "If a team chooses to change their brake pads, it's on them to do so. The teams are allowed to do quite a bit of work in the brake area. We're just giving the opportunity to make sure they get it right and hopefully we don't have any brake issues at Phoenix." Sunday's Chase race at Phoenix (3 p.m. ET, USA Network, HBO Max, MRN Radio, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio) marks the seventh of 10 events in the battle for the 2026 Cup Series championship. Defending titleholder Kyle Larson holds a 49-point lead in the standings over Denny Hamlin.