What is the Busch Series called now
The series now known as the NASCAR Xfinity Series was historically called the Busch Series. It is NASCAR's premier developmental touring series, offering drivers, teams, and sponsors a pathway toward the Cup Series. This article explains the current name, structural elements, key relationship to the Cup Series, and how the series operates under its title sponsor, presenting a durable overview of its purpose and format.
Busch Series rebrand to Xfinity Series
Reasoning and timing
In early 2023, NASCAR announced the Busch Series would be renamed the NASCAR Xfinity Series, aligning the lower-tier touring series with its naming convention used at the Cup level. This became part of a broader portfolio shift in naming around that time.
The change reflected an ongoing effort by NASCAR to synchronize branding across divisions while preserving the series' core identity as the primary development tier for future Cup competitors. It also continued the pattern of title sponsorship integration established in previous years.
Current official name and relationship to Cup
As of 2024 and moving forward, the full official name is the NASCAR Xfinity Series. It remains the second-highest level of competition in the NASCAR hierarchy, sitting directly below the NASCAR Cup Series and above the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series.
This tiered structure supports driver development, team operations, and fan engagement, with many Cup competitors running select Xfinity races and teams using the series to refine technology, talent, and logistics.
Series structure and format
The NASCAR Xfinity Series runs a combination of oval, road course, and street circuits across a long season. Events include practice, qualifying, and the feature race, with points awarded to drivers and teams throughout the year.
| Attribute | Verified Detail | Source Type |
|---|---|---|
| Current series name | NASCAR Xfinity Series | Official NASCAR announcement and website |
| Previous name | NASCAR Busch Series | Historical records and archives |
| Series level | Second tier in NASCAR | NASCAR hierarchy documentation |
| Title sponsor | Xfinity | Sponsorship announcements |
| Typical season length | Approximately 33 races annually | Published schedules |
| Notable driver pathway | Cup Series participation for many alumni | Team and driver records |
Key elements under the current name
- Title sponsor integration: Xfinity branding is present on cars, content, and digital properties
- Development focus: The series is designed to prepare drivers technically, physically, and mentally for Cup
- Team operations: It provides a platform for teams to test parts, strategies, and personnel
- Fan experience: The series offers accessible pricing and frequent venue variety across regions
Common questions about the rebrand
Fans often ask whether the series' function has changed with the name. The short answer is no; the developmental mission, competition level, and season structure remain intact. The rename is primarily a branding adjustment, aligning with NASCAR's portfolio strategy while preserving the series' identity.
Ownership and sanctioning continue under NASCAR, and competition rules and technical specifications remain closely tied to the standards used in Cup, ensuring continuity for participants and stakeholders.
Practical context for teams and drivers
For teams, the Xfinity Series offers a proving ground where technology, personnel, and operations can be validated before scaling to Cup. For drivers, consistent performance here can create momentum and credibility, influencing seat opportunities and sponsorship interest in the top tier.
Media coverage, broadcast partnerships, and digital distribution have expanded under the Xfinity name, improving visibility for competitors and helping newer teams access resources and exposure.
Summary of the current landscape and outlook
As NASCAR's premier developmental series, the NASCAR Xfinity Series carries forward a long-standing role in shaping talent and teams. The shift from the Busch Series name to Xfinity is a branding evolution rather than a functional overhaul, maintaining continuity in competition while reflecting broader portfolio alignment.
Expectations for the future include continued focus on driver development, refined data-driven operations, and meaningful engagement with fans across multiple platforms, sustaining the series as a cornerstone of the NASCAR ecosystem.