Mark Martin Says Cost, Not Preparation, Is Why NASCAR Rookies Get So Little Practice Time

Mark Martin isn’t happy with how little practice time NASCAR drivers get on race weekends, and the Hall of Famer says the reason comes down to money. Martin took to social media to argue that team owners are resisting additional track time specifically because of the added cost, not because more practice wouldn’t help.

Why Martin Thinks It Matters Most for Rookies

Martin’s argument is straightforward: more practice would let teams dial in setups and give younger drivers a chance to adjust before racing at speeds north of 180 mph, rather than learning those lessons in live race conditions where a single mistake can snowball into a multi-car incident. Per reporting from Jeff Gluck, the current schedule includes no additional practice sessions for several superspeedway events this season, including Atlanta, Talladega, and the second Daytona race. That’s a notable contrast with Formula 1 and other major global series, which typically build multiple practice sessions into a race weekend specifically to let teams and drivers prepare before it counts.

A Timely Concern for NASCAR’s Newest Rookie

The timing lines up with highly touted rookie Connor Zilisch stepping into full Cup Series competition. Veteran Kevin Harvick has already advised Zilisch to temper his expectations early on, given that consistent mid-pack finishes may be the realistic near-term outcome. Motorsport reporter Bob Pockrass has also pointed out that Zilisch’s team, Trackhouse Racing, isn’t currently considered a top-five Cup Series organization, which only adds to the learning curve Martin is describing.

At its core, this is a cost-control argument bumping up against a preparation argument, and for now, cost control is winning. NASCAR’s current practice format remains in place, and no changes have been announced. Whether that shifts as more high-profile rookies like Zilisch enter the series may depend on how loudly veterans like Martin keep pushing the issue.

About the Author

Eve Nowell

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Eve Nowell writes about cars for Backfire News, and she comes by it honestly—she grew up in a racing family, around engines and pit lanes before she was old enough to drive. That world isn't a beat she picked up; it's just where she's always been. At Backfire News she covers off-roading, classic car culture, motorsports, and the people behind the machines. She writes with the enthusiasm of someone who genuinely loves this stuff, but she's a stickler for getting the details right—the kind of writing that holds up with actual gearheads. She's still early in her career and building her own voice, bringing a fresh take to a world she's known her whole life. Her work runs across racing coverage, truck and off-road culture, collector vehicles, and the wider lifestyle that comes with all of it. When she's not writing, she's usually trackside, out in the garage, or chasing down the next story worth telling.

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