NASCAR has significantly reduced practice session lengths since before 2020, when teams spent two to three hours preparing on track ahead of races. This change, intended to reduce the advantage of top teams, has led to disappointment among fans, drivers, and team owners. Ryan Blaney has recently been vocal in advocating for extending practice periods again to improve race preparation and competition quality.
Blaney Supports Expanding Practice as Seen in Key Events Like Daytona 500
The decision to cut practice time aimed to keep powerhouse teams from further increasing their dominance. However, the demand for longer sessions has prompted NASCAR to make small adjustments, including increasing practice duration for the 2025 Daytona 500. Blaney stands firmly in favor of more extended track time, aligning with voices such as Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Brad Keselowski who share this view.
Ryan Blaney Highlights Advantages of Extended Practice at New Hampshire Motor Speedway
Before the Round of 12 race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, Blaney expressed his preference for longer sessions that allow better preparation. He said,
If I’m gonna pick, I like the extended practice, the 50 minutes. You get a couple of sets of tires. You’re able to go to the garage and try a few different things. They do that Champ Weekend, and then if they have a new track, that’s what they have,
Ryan Blaney.
He further explained,
That’s what I like, personally. I think it just gives people a better chance to understand where their cars are and play with some more stuff than they normally could with a 20-minute practice. That would be my vote. I don’t know where it’s gonna go, but that is my favorite form of practice.
Comparison to Pre-Pandemic Practice Formats Shows Current System Falls Short
Blaney reminisced about the schedule before COVID-19 changes, which included a one-hour Friday session, qualifying, and two practice rounds on Saturday. Currently, teams often have only 15 to 20 minutes of track time, which Blaney describes as “pennies on the dollar” compared to earlier standards. He suggests a middle ground of around 50 minutes with two sets of tires and garage access would be ideal:
A little happy medium ground is the 50-minute, two sets of tires, can go in the garage, that would be my vote.
Ryan Blaney.
More Practice Time Allows Teams to Fine-Tune Cars and Benefits All Drivers
Earlier in the year, Blaney emphasized that additional practice time enables crews to make adjustments and improve vehicle setups, helping deliver stronger performances on race day. This extra track time also benefits experienced drivers like Brad Keselowski, as well as part-time racers including Jimmie Johnson, who need more time to adapt to evolving systems. With longer practices, competition is expected to tighten, raising the performance level across the field.
Implications for NASCAR’s Future and Race Weekend Experience
The push by Ryan Blaney and other key figures illustrates a growing momentum toward reinstating longer NASCAR practice sessions. Restoring these would not only enhance driver preparedness but also improve the quality of racing, making weekends more engaging for teams and fans alike. As NASCAR considers these changes, the balance between competitive fairness and sufficient preparation time remains a critical issue for its near-term strategy.
