Only 8 races will feature practice and qualifying for the NASCAR Cup Series
In 2020, the pandemic drastically shifted the world. NASCAR returned with new guidelines and protocals.
NASCAR returned without practice or qualifying for every event with the exclusion of the Coca-Cola 600. Now, that policy will return in 2021, for most events.
Big events and new tracks will be the only races that feature practice and qualifying for the NASCAR Cup Series:
Feb. 14
Daytona 500
March 28
Bristol Motor Speedway (Dirt)
May 23
Circuit of the Americas
May 30
Coca-Cola 600
Charlotte Motor Speedway
June 20
Nashville Superspeedway
July 4
Road America
Aug. 15
Indianapolis Motor Speedway Road Course
Nov. 7
Phoenix Raceway
Details regarding the length of practice as well as the qualifying formats will be released at a future date.
In 2020, NASCAR set the field via a random draw. Later in the season, that was adjusted to a performance metric including season long results, lap times, and results from the previous event. It remains unclear how NASCAR will set the field for 2021 events.
Related: NASCAR TV Schedule (2021 start times and channel listings)
Links
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