Brad Keselowski reopened NASCAR’s growing practice debate after calling on the sport to push teams into longer practice sessions. The discussion returned during NASCAR All-Star Race weekend at Dover Motor Speedway, where Cup Series teams received a rare 90-minute NASCAR practice session on Friday.
The longer session resembled race weekends before NASCAR reduced track time during the COVID-19 pandemic to lower costs. Drivers and teams now rely heavily on simulator programs and limited track activity before races.
While several NASCAR drivers said the current system works well, Keselowski warned that reduced NASCAR practice time hurts driver development, smaller NASCAR race teams, and the sport’s future.
His comments also exposed a growing divide between NASCAR owners over how race weekends should operate moving forward.
Brad Keselowski Says NASCAR Practice Is Hurting Driver Development
Keselowski strongly defended the need for more NASCAR practice sessions during NASCAR weekends. The RFK Racing owner said the current format creates problems for both drivers and teams across the NASCAR Cup Series.
“As a driver and an owner, it’s critical to the health of the sport. Not having it is a big miss for guiding the stars of the future. It’s a big miss for how teams budget.”
Keselowski explained that limited NASCAR practice especially hurts younger Cup Series drivers who need more real track experience. He also said smaller NASCAR teams lose valuable time to improve their cars during race weekends.
“It’s what is best for the drivers that are coming up and for team owners who are trying to compete at a high level that aren’t where they want to be,” he said.
The veteran driver made it clear that he believes NASCAR eventually needs to step in and change the system.
“A majority of the owners do not want practice. So I feel like, at some point, NASCAR is just going to have to strong-arm owners and say, ‘we are practicing, and y’all need to figure out how to pay for it’ because that is what is best for the sport and for the fans.”
NASCAR Drivers Remain Split on Longer Practice Sessions
Friday’s NASCAR practice session gave several Cup Series drivers more laps than they normally receive during a NASCAR weekend. Current NASCAR practice sessions usually last around 25 minutes before qualifying and the race.
Ty Gibbs completed 86 laps during Friday’s session and admitted it was the most practice time he has experienced in his Cup Series career.
“86,” Gibbs said with a laugh. “Oh, my god. That was like the entire first stage of a race.”
Gibbs said the extra NASCAR practice helped his team learn more about the car. Even so, he said modern NASCAR teams already prepare well enough through simulation programs.
“I don’t think so. I’m good with 25 minutes, honestly. I think it shows how hard everyone works back at the shop. With our sim program, we unload really close.”
Chase Elliott also reacted to the longer NASCAR practice session. Elliott said having extra tires again felt unusual after years of shorter NASCAR weekends.
“To have more than one set of tires was kind of weird. I hadn’t had that in a while, but I don’t think it will change anything.”
Owners Continue to Oppose More Practice
NASCAR reduced practice sessions in 2020 as part of cost-cutting changes across the NASCAR schedule. Teams saved money on travel, tires, and weekend operations while simulator technology became an increasingly important part of race preparation.
The longer NASCAR practice session at Dover Motor Speedway served as a controlled test during All-Star weekend without changing the regular NASCAR schedule. Most NASCAR owners still support shorter sessions because they reduce costs during the long Cup Series season.
Keselowski’s comments showed, however, that frustration over NASCAR practice rules still exists inside the garage. The disagreement now extends to drivers, owners, and NASCAR race teams as the sport continues to balance cost control with competition and driver development.
For now, NASCAR owners still support shorter practice sessions. But Keselowski’s comments showed the fight over NASCAR practice is far from over.
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