How Do Stages Work

New to NASCAR 25? Learn how stages work, when cautions fly, how points are awarded, and the best beginner settings and strategy to win stage breaks and races.

You’ve seen “Stage 1, Stage 2, Final Stage” flash on screen and wondered what to do next. Here’s the simple answer and the strategy that saves your race. By the end, you’ll know how do stages work, what points you earn, and how to use stage breaks to your advantage.

Quick answer

Stages split the race into three segments. At the end of Stage 1 and Stage 2, a caution (stage break) bunches the field, points are awarded to the top 10, and you can pit without losing a lap. The final stage runs to the checkered flag with full race points. Use stage breaks to pit, reset your car balance, and gain track position on restarts.

Do this now (60 seconds)

• In your next event, look for a setting called Stages, Stage Breaks, or Stage Points and turn it On.
• Make sure Cautions/Flags are On so the field bunches up at the end of Stages 1 and 2.
• Plan to pit during the stage break for four tires and fuel; watch the restart to gain spots safely.

What this means in NASCAR 25

• Plain English: Stage racing slices a long race into manageable chunks. You race hard to the green-and-white checkered at the end of Stage 1 and Stage 2, then regroup under a caution before the final run.
• Why it matters: You get extra points (Stage Points) in Stage 1 and Stage 2 for finishing in the top 10. Stage breaks also give free pit stops without going a lap down and a clean shot at restarts—huge for beginners.
• Jargon in one line:
  • Caution/Yellow: Slows the field; you can pit safely.
  • Stage Points: Extra points paid to top 10 at Stage 1 and 2 (10 for 1st down to 1 for 10th) in most NASCAR formats.
  • Playoff Point: In real NASCAR, stage winners earn 1 playoff point; some games simulate this in career/championship.
  • Tire falloff: Your lap times get slower as tires wear—fresh tires after a stage can be worth seconds.
  • Restart: The green flag after a caution; timing your throttle is key.

Symptoms → likely causes → fixes (beginner-focused)

• No stage caution appears
  • Likely cause: Stages or Flags are Off.
  • Fix: Enable Stages/Stage Breaks and turn Cautions/Flags On in Race Options.
• Didn’t get any stage points
  • Likely cause: Finished outside top 10, Stages Off, or you’re in a mode that doesn’t award points.
  • Fix: Turn Stages On and aim to finish top 10 at the Stage 1/2 line.
• Lose many spots after stage breaks
  • Likely cause: Poor restarts or wheelspin.
  • Fix: Short-shift on restarts, roll into throttle smoothly, and line up in a preferred lane (often the outside at many 1.5-mile ovals).
• AI pits, you stay out, then you drop like a rock
  • Likely cause: Tire falloff; old tires are too slow on the restart.
  • Fix: Take four tires at the stage break unless track position is worth the risk late in the race.
• Run out of fuel before a stage end
  • Likely cause: High fuel wear multiplier or long stage length.
  • Fix: Pit under green if needed or lower fuel/tire wear multipliers in settings.
• Pitted too early and lost a lap
  • Likely cause: Green-flag stop just before a stage break.
  • Fix: Stretch to the stage caution if possible, then pit with the field.

Step-by-step: How to do it

1. Turn stages on

   • Menus vary by game. Look for Race Options, Event Settings, or Rules/Flags.
   • If you see “Stages” or “Stage Breaks”: set to On.
   • If you see “Race Length / Stage Length”: choose a race length (e.g., 25%–50%) and ensure stages are not disabled.
   • If you see “Flags/Cautions”: set to On or Full.
   • You should see Stage 1/2 indicators on the HUD or pre-race overview when it’s working.

2. Understand when points are paid

   • Expect a green-and-white checkered flag at the end of Stage 1 and Stage 2.
   • Top 10 earn stage points (most NASCAR formats: 10-9-8-…-1).
   • The final stage pays full race points based on finishing position.

3. Pit smart at stage breaks

   • Under the stage caution, pit for four tires and fuel.
   • Make small balance tweaks if available (e.g., one round on wedge or a click of tape) only if you clearly feel tight/loose.
   • You should launch into the next stage with stronger grip and more consistent laps.

4. Nail the restart

   • Hold a steady wheel, short-shift if your car wheelspins, and don’t dive-bomb Turn 1.
   • You should feel the rear tires hook up; if not, reduce throttle aggression by 10–15% on the hit.

Common gotcha: Pitting on the last lap of a stage usually isn’t worth it. You’ll give up track position right before a free pit stop.

Beginner settings & assists (recommended)

• Beginner:
  • Stages: On; Cautions/Flags: On. Why: More resets, more learning chances.
  • Tire/Fuel Wear: 1x. Why: Simple strategy, less surprise pit stops.
  • Pit Assist/Speed Limiter: On (if available). Why: Avoid penalties.
  • AI Difficulty: Set where you can run P10–P20. Why: You’ll actually race for stage points.
• Intermediate:
  • Stages: On; Cautions: On.
  • Tire/Fuel Wear: 2x (if available). Why: Makes stage strategy matter.
  • Reduce assists; practice manual pit entry.
• Advanced:
  • Minimal assists; manage tire/fuel multipliers to suit race length.
  • Make setup tweaks at stage breaks (pressure, wedge, track bar) based on feel.

Practice drill (10 minutes)

• Track: A 1.5-mile oval (any “intermediate” speedway).
• Setup: Short race with stages On and cautions On.
• Focus: Clean final 3 laps before a stage end, then a composed restart.
• Steps:
  1. Run consistent laps, stay within your line.
  2. On the restart, modulate throttle and keep the car straight.
  3. Pass one car safely by Lap 2 after the restart.
• Success looks like: Within 0.3s lap-time variance, no wheelspin on the restart, and one clean overtake.
• Avoid: Pitting before the stage end unless you cannot make fuel.

Common beginner mistakes (and the fix)

• Ignoring stage points
  • Looks like: Coasting at P11 at the stage end.
  • Why: Didn’t realize top 10 pay.
  • Fix: Push for P10 at the stage line; it adds up in championships.
• Staying out on old tires at a stage break
  • Looks like: Leading into restart, then getting freight-trained.
  • Why: Underestimated tire falloff.
  • Fix: Take four tires unless it’s a late-race hail mary.
• Overdriving the first lap of a restart
  • Looks like: Sliding up the track in Turn 1.
  • Why: Cold tires, heavy traffic.
  • Fix: Brake earlier and pick a conservative entry line.
• Pitting one lap before the stage ends
  • Looks like: Losing track position for no gain.
  • Why: Mis-timed fuel window.
  • Fix: Stretch to the stage caution when possible.
• Expecting stage points in non-points races
  • Looks like: No points awarded despite top 10 at stage.
  • Why: Mode doesn’t track standings.
  • Fix: Use Career/Championship or a points-enabled mode.
• Flags off, wondering why there’s no stage break
  • Looks like: Continuous green at stage distance.
  • Why: Cautions/Flags disabled.
  • Fix: Turn Flags/Cautions On.

FAQs

• How many stages are in a NASCAR 25 race?
  • Typically three: Stage 1, Stage 2, and the Final Stage. Stage lengths depend on race distance and game settings.
• Do you get points at every stage?
  • In most NASCAR formats, top 10 get stage points at the end of Stage 1 and Stage 2 only. The final stage pays full race points for your finishing position.
• Are there always cautions at stage ends?
  • Usually yes—stage breaks trigger a caution that bunches the field. If you’ve turned flags/cautions off, you won’t see the stage-break caution.
• Can I turn stages off in NASCAR 25?
  • Many NASCAR games let you toggle stages. Look in Event/Race Options for Stages, Stage Breaks, or Rules. If it’s not there, check mode-specific options.
• Should I pit during a stage break?
  • Most of the time, yes. Fresh tires and a full tank are worth more than a few spots of track position, especially early in the race.
• Do stage winners get playoff points?
  • In real NASCAR, yes (1 playoff point per stage win). If NASCAR 25 includes a playoff/championship mode, it may simulate this—check your championship standings screen.

Next steps

Stages are your built-in reset button and a bonus-points machine. Turn them on, plan to pit at the breaks, and attack restarts with control, not chaos.

• Next: Run a short race with stages On. Aim for one stage point in Stage 1 or 2 and a clean restart.
• Related articles:
  • NASCAR 25: Race Length, Flags, and Rules Explained
  • Restart Tips: Launch, Lane Choice, and Turn 1 Survival
  • Tire Wear 101: Managing Falloff and Pit Timing
  • Pit Road Guide: Speed, Penalties, and Clean Stops
  • AI Difficulty: Find Your Pace Without Sandbagging