Balancing tradition with entertainment, NASCAR is once again putting one of its most debated “Kyle Busch Rule” back under the microscope: how often top-tier Cup Series drivers can compete in lower divisions like Xfinity and the Craftsman Truck Series. The discussion resurfaced this week as the sanctioning body announced O’Reilly Auto Parts as the new title sponsor of the Xfinity Series, replacing Comcast’s Xfinity brand. The move comes at a time when NASCAR is also looking to maximize its partnership with The CW Network, which will broadcast the second-tier series starting in 2025. NASCAR President Steve O’Donnell confirmed that the sanctioning body is reviewing the limits currently in place, with the possibility of tweaking them before the 2026 season. “We’re going to look at who is able to race in the series in the future as well and maybe make some changes down the road,” O’Donnell said, noting the balance between competition and entertainment.
Under the present rules, Cup Series veterans with more than three years of experience are capped at five races in both the Xfinity and Truck Series each season. They are also barred from competing once the regular season concludes, preventing them from affecting playoff battles. These restrictions were put in place gradually, most notably in 2020 when NASCAR reduced the Cup driver limit from seven to five races. Still, debate remains in the industry. Some believe Cup drivers bring star power and experience that elevate the lower-tier series, while others argue their dominance often takes away opportunities from rising prospects. O’Donnell acknowledged those tensions, saying, “You look at all of our series and we’ve had limits on, ‘Could a Cup driver compete?’ ‘How many races could they compete?’ So we’ve certainly had discussions with The CW and in the Truck Series as well (about), ‘Does that rule as it stands now make the most sense to continue as it is? Do we tweak it?’”
The timing of this review is significant as NASCAR prepares for a fresh marketing push under its new sponsorship and broadcast partnerships. O’Donnell described the situation as a chance to recalibrate both competition and viewership goals heading into a new era. “There’s a lot of opportunities for us to work with The CW and O’Reilly Auto Parts to take it to the next level so you’re operating from a really good base, which is awesome, but I think we’ve got a lot of growth ahead of us,” he said. The rule came into effect after Kyle Busch himself dominated Xfinity and Truck events with frequent wins, forcing NASCAR to impose strict caps. But now, the tide is turning. Many Truck and Xfinity drivers are asking Busch, Kyle Larson, and Christopher Bell to appear more often. They argue that racing against Cup champions provides invaluable lessons. It is not just competition, but a reality check on what next level truly demands.
.@NASCAR is considering changing its rules in the coming seasons to allow Cup drivers to compete in Xfinity and Truck races more often. https://t.co/d4rrEmyNcW
— Adam Stern (@A_S12) August 19, 2025
The offseason will now include conversations with teams, sponsors, and drivers about how best to balance Cup driver involvement in lower series with the development pipeline. The ultimate decision could reshape how fans experience crossover star power in NASCAR’s three national series.
This is a developing story.
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