The dust has barely settled on the 2025 NASCAR season and yet, the sport is already making significant rule changes ahead of next year's campaign.

Earlier this month, NASCAR officials confirmed tweaks to two rules affecting the Xfinity Series - set to be named the O'Reilly Auto Parts Series from next season.

One tweak that has been made is to the so-called 'Kyle Busch rule', which was last changed in 2020 and limited drivers with three years of full-time Cup Series experience to just five outings in the Xfinity and Truck Series, alongside their Cup Series duties, in a single season.

The rule was commonly named after Busch due to how many races he would take part in and win in those series, despite his vast Cup Series experience and success in its own right.

More races for Cup Series drivers

Now, however, after NASCAR's recent announcement, the likes of Kyle Busch can compete in a lot more races in the lower categories moving forward.

In fact, after being limited to a total of five in each of the Xfinity and Truck Series for the last six seasons, Cup Series stars can now race up to 18 times in the O'Reilly Auto Parts and Truck Series in 2026 - 10 in the former, eight in the latter.

As per NASCAR: "Drivers with three-plus years’ experience in the Cup Series who have also elected to earn Cup Series points will be able to compete in more events next season in the lower national series, which are currently capped at five races each.

"In 2026, Cup Series drivers at that experience level will be eligible to compete in a maximum of 10 O’Reilly Auto Parts Series races and a maximum total of eight Craftsman Truck Series events."

Crucially, however, Cup Series drivers will not be eligible to participate in regular-season finales, playoff races or championship events in either the O’Reilly Auto Parts or Craftsman Truck Series.

Likewise, O’Reilly Auto Parts Series drivers will not be permitted to enter the Truck Series championship race.

Younger drivers set to shine

In the same announcement that confirmed the above, NASCAR also revealed changes to the minimum age requirement for the 2026 O'Reilly Auto Parts Series season.

Under the new rules for 2026, drivers aged 17 or older will now be eligible to compete in the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series on road courses and oval tracks 1.25 miles or shorter. Previously, the age requirement here was 18.

Now, however, those aged 18 and up are eligible to participate on ovals 1.25 miles and longer.