NASCAR makes adjustments to practice schedule to reduce team expenses. Instead of the previous 50-minute sessions, drivers now have a 20-minute window to familiarize themselves with their vehicles. However, several drivers and retired stars have been pushing for longer practice sessions to be reinstated. The NASCAR senior vice president addressed this issue and shared the organization’s position on the matter.
Seven-time champion Jimmie Johnson recently called for an increase in practice time for drivers before races in Texas. The Hall of Famer supported Johnson’s argument, stating that limited practice is unfair to part-time drivers and newcomers in the premier division. On the other hand, Elton Sawyer indicated that longer practice sessions may still be a possibility, but only at tracks that have been repaved or have specific aerodynamic packages. Despite the demands of the drivers, a full return to the old format seems unlikely.
A young driver, who made his debut at Pocono in 2022 and started racing full-time in the Cup series last year, has been struggling with reduced practice times. The JGR driver has been feeling like a rookie due to the difficulty of getting used to his Toyota. As a result, he has found himself at the back of the pack. To compensate, he has been spending a significant amount of time on simulators to learn the limits of the car. Although simulators offer some benefits, they cannot fully replicate the feeling of driving on the track.
Despite the challenges faced by the drivers, it seems that changes to practice sessions are not imminent. NASCAR is striving to create a welcoming environment for new manufacturers and teams, which may lead to controversial decisions becoming the norm in the series.
