Race Status Workflow

Intro

Every NASCAR race progresses through multiple statuses over its lifecycle. The Status data point indicates the current state of a race and should be used to determine which endpoint is most appropriate for retrieving accurate and timely data.

The Status data point is available in every Schedule and Leaderboard endpoint and reflects changes as a race moves from scheduled to live and ultimately to closed. For example, to retrieve a race’s initial status and scheduling information, it is most appropriate to request the Schedule, Entry List, Starting Grid, or Leaderboard endpoints.

In the examples below, the status attribute represents the Status data point and shows the race is currently scheduled.

 <race id="38125d3a-ade5-416b-a570-6a27ce0b0ec1" name="Clash Heat Race 1" status="scheduled" distance="15" laps="25" chase_race="false" heat_race="true" award_pole="false" stage_count="0" scheduled="2026-02-01T01:30:00+00:00">

   "races": [
        {
          "id": "38125d3a-ade5-416b-a570-6a27ce0b0ec1",
          "name": "Clash Heat Race 1",
          "status": "scheduled",
          "distance": 15,
          "laps": 25,
          "chase_race": false,
          "heat_race": true,
          "award_pole": false,
          "stage_count": 0,
          "scheduled": "2026-02-01T01:30:00+00:00",
          "broadcast": {
            "network": "FS1",
            "satellite": "219",
            "radio": "MRN"
          },
          "prior_winner": {
            "first_name": "Chase",
            "last_name": "Elliott",
            "full_name": "Chase Elliott",
            "id": "5fd3e3fb-322f-4157-ae41-9317fba1997d"
          }
        },

Note: In NASCAR, postponed and rescheduled races retain the same race ID and resume under the original race record unless it goes to a new race weekend later in the season.

Coverage

Our NASCAR API provides real-time updates for Cup, O'Reilly Auto Parts, and Truck events. Each race, practice and qualifying event updates live, with lap-by-lap coverage.

Race Status Definitions

Below are each of the valid race statuses you can expect to see in the NASCAR API. Reference these definitions for precise detail on what each race state signifies.

scheduled – The race is scheduled to occur.
initialized – We are ready to begin recording actions against the scheduled race.
practice – We are currently in the practice round.
qualifying – We are currently in the qualifying round.
prerace – Prerace may occur before practice, qualifying, or warmup rounds.
inprogress – The race is in progress.
complete – The race is over, but stat validation is not complete.
closed – The race is over and the statistics have been validated.
delayed – The race has been delayed.
canceled – The race has been canceled. No makeup race will be played as a result.
rescheduled – The race has been postponed and will be rescheduled at a later date.
maintenance – The closed race has been reopened to correct one or more statistics. We would recommend against pulling data for a race while in this status.
warmup – The scheduled race is set to take place and will begin soon.
time-tbd - The race time is yet to be determined.

Race Workflows

See the below diagrams for common race status flows, with context around each update.

Standard Race

Below is the flow for a typical NASCAR race from scheduled to closed.

Time-TBD

Below is the flow of a time-tbd race. Once this race reaches scheduled status it follows the Standard Race flow.

Postponed

Below is the flow for a postponed race. Postponed races retain the same race ID throughout the lifecycle.

Prior to race start:

If a race is postponed prior to the start, the IDs assigned to the race will remain unchanged. The race will resume from where it was left off once a new date and time are established. As soon as these details are confirmed, the race scheduled attribute is updated to reflect the changes. The start_time attribute is adjusted post-race.

Example Race: 6d88e04f-3da2-473d-a44b-8a0b38fe32cd

After race start:

If a race is postponed after the start, the data transfers from green flag to red flag with a status of inprogress until NASCAR makes the decision to finish the race a different day and end track activities. At this point, the status updates from inprogress to delayed, with the scheduled time remaining. The IDs assigned to the race will remain unchanged.

When the race finishes the following day the start_time and end_time values are adjusted to be the tv window for the rest of the race.

Example Race: 4daedbcd-f1c6-4bc1-9690-f85d1fd1af4a

Canceled

Below is the flow for a race with a canceled status. A canceled race will remain in this status and will not transition to any other state. No race data resumes or completes for canceled races.

See race 0e524ac8-779e-4e22-8f10-f73c672c1a50 for an example of a canceled race.

Race State Samples

Click the links below for sample data of Leaderboard feeds by race state.

Monday

Previous week’s races’ status changed from complete to closed

Drivers’ standings are confirmed

Upcoming week’s races’ status changed from scheduled to initialized

Confirm entry list for upcoming week’s races (continues until 1^st practice)

Tuesday

Update drivers, sponsors, teams (this is ongoing work)

Thursday - Sunday

Monitoring of NASCAR-sourced incoming practice, qualifying, and race data as events occur