The 2026 NASCAR Cup Series schedule is set, featuring new venues like the San Diego Street Course, the return of Chicagoland Speedway, and a revamped playoff format resembling the classic ‘Chase.’ Season starts Feb 1 with Cook Out Clash; ends Nov 8 Championship at Homestead-Miami. Updated with official start times and TV as of January 2026. Last Updated Jan 2026.
2026 NASCAR Cup Series Schedule
The 2026 NASCAR Cup Series schedule is out. The season kicks off here before its time for the Super Bowl. You can also print it out in PDF format here.
| Date | Race | Track | Start time (ET) | TV |
| Feb 1 | Cook Out Clash (non-points exhibition) | Bowman Gray Stadium | 8:00 PM | FOX |
| Feb 12 | Daytona 500 Duels (non-points) | Daytona International Speedway | 7:00 PM | FOX/FS1 |
| Feb 15 | DAYTONA 500 | Daytona International Speedway | 2:30 PM | FOX |
| Feb 22 | Ambetter Health 400 | EchoPark Speedway (Atlanta) | 3:00 PM | FS1 |
| Mar 1 | DuraMAX Grand Prix | Circuit of The Americas | 3:30 PM | FOX |
| Mar 8 | Straight Talk Wireless 500 | Phoenix Raceway | 3:30 PM | FS1 |
| Mar 15 | Pennzoil 400 | Las Vegas Motor Speedway | 4:00 PM | FS1 |
| Mar 22 | Goodyear 400 | Darlington Raceway | 3:00 PM | FS1 |
| Mar 29 | Cook Out 400 | Martinsville Speedway | 3:30 PM | FS1 |
| Apr 5 | OFF WEEK (Easter) | — | — | — |
| Apr 12 | Food City 500 | Bristol Motor Speedway | 3:00 PM | FS1 |
| Apr 19 | AdventHealth 400 | Kansas Speedway | 2:00 PM | FS1 |
| April 26 | Jack Link’s 500 | Talladega Superspeedway | 3:00 PM | FOX |
| May 3 | Würth 400 | Texas Motor Speedway | 3:30 PM | FS1 |
| May 10 | Go Bowling at the Glen | Watkins Glen International | 3:00 PM | FOX |
| May 17 | All-Star Open / All-Star Race (non-points) | Dover Motor Speedway | TBD / 3:00 PM | FS1 |
| Sun, May 24 | Coca-Cola 600 | Charlotte Motor Speedway | 6:00 PM | Amazon Prime Video |
| May 31 | Cracker Barrel 400 | Nashville Superspeedway | 7:00 PM | Amazon Prime Video |
| Jun 7 | FireKeepers Casino 400 | Michigan International Speedway | 3:00 PM | Amazon Prime Video |
| Jun 14 | Great American Getaway 400 | Pocono Raceway | 3:00 PM | Amazon Prime Video |
| Jun 21 | Anduril 250 Race the Base (San Diego debut) | Naval Base Coronado (street) | 4:00 PM | Amazon Prime Video |
| Jun 28 | Toyota / Save Mart 350 | Sonoma Raceway | 3:30 PM | TNT |
| Jul 5 | TBA 400 (Chicagoland return) | Chicagoland Speedway | 6:00 PM | TNT |
| Jul 12 | Quaker State 400 | EchoPark Speedway (Atlanta) | 7:00 PM | Amazon Prime Video |
| Jul 19 | Window World 450 | North Wilkesboro Speedway | 7:00 PM | Amazon Prime Video |
| Jul 26 | Brickyard 400 | Indianapolis Motor Speedway | 2:00 PM | NBC |
| Aug 2 | OFF WEEK (Summer Break) | — | — | — |
| Aug 9 | Iowa Corn 350 | Iowa Speedway | 3:30 PM | USA |
| Aug 15 | Cook Out 400 | Richmond Raceway | 7:00 PM | USA |
| Aug 23 | USA Today 301 | New Hampshire Motor Speedway | 3:00 PM | USA |
| Sat, Aug 29 | Coke Zero Sugar 400 | Daytona International Speedway | 7:30 PM | NBC |
| Sep 6 | Cook Out Southern 500 (Playoffs Rd of 16) | Darlington Raceway | 5:00 PM | USA |
| Sep 13 | Enjoy Illinois 300 (Playoffs Rd of 16) | World Wide Technology Raceway | 3:00 PM | USA |
| Sep 19 | Bass Pro Shops Night Race (Playoffs Rd of 16) | Bristol Motor Speedway | 7:30 PM | USA |
| Sun, Sep 27 | Hollywood Casino 400 (Playoffs Rd of 12) | Kansas Speedway | 3:00 PM | USA |
| Oct 4 | South Point 400 (Playoffs Rd of 12) | Las Vegas Motor Speedway | 5:30 PM | USA |
| Oct 11 | Bank of America ROVAL 400 (Playoffs Rd of 12) | Charlotte Motor Speedway ROVAL | 3:00 PM | NBC |
| Oct 18 | TBA (Playoffs Rd of 8 opener) | Phoenix Raceway | TBA | NBC |
| Sun, Oct 25 | TBA (Playoffs Rd of 8) | Homestead-Miami Speedway | TBA | NBC |
| Nov 1 | TBA (Championship 4) | Phoenix Raceway | TBA | NBC |
| Nov 8 | Championship Race | Homestead-Miami Speedway | TBA (likely 3:00 PM) | NBC/Peacock |
Printable 2026 NASCAR Cup Series Schedule
I love to have a printable NASCAR Cup Series schedule to follow a season. This is not different for the 2026 schedule. It is posted in image format that you can print or save to PDF for you to use for free to follow the races this coming season. Please note, you should always confirm details for races ahead of time. Schedules can change a lot based on weather, etc. You can also checkout the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series schedule here if you want to look at last season’s schedule.
Key Notes & Storylines for the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series
Return of “The Chase” Playoff Format: For the first time since 2014, NASCAR has scrapped the elimination-style playoffs in favor of a revived “Chase” system (announced January 12, 2026). The top 16 drivers in regular-season points qualify for a 10-race postseason-no more “win-and-you’re-in” automatic berths. Points reset with staggered starts (25-point premium for the regular-season champ), race wins carry heavier weight (first place now worth 55 points instead of 40), and stage points remain but without bankable playoff points. This rewards consistency over one-race heroics and syncs better with lower series. The Chase kicks off Labor Day weekend at Darlington (September 6) and culminates at Homestead-Miami on November 8.
Championship Finale Returns Home: Homestead-Miami Speedway reclaims the season-ending Championship Race (November 8) after a six-year stint at Phoenix (last hosted finale in 2019). This classic 1.5-mile track brings back a fan-favorite venue for the title-deciding event.
New & Returning Venues Shake Up the Calendar: The schedule features the debut of the San Diego street course at Naval Base Coronado (June 21, Father’s Day weekend) as a points race. Chicagoland Speedway returns July 5 (first time since 2019, replacing the dropped Chicago Street Course). North Wilkesboro Speedway hosts its first points-paying Cup race since 1996 (July 19, Window World 450). EchoPark Speedway (Atlanta) gets two dates (February 22 and July 12), and Iowa Speedway joins the mix (August 9).
Horsepower Boost for More Action: NASCAR increased engine output to 750 hp (from 670) on short tracks (under 1.5 miles) and road courses (announced October 2025), aiming for closer racing and higher speeds at venues like Martinsville, Bristol, Watkins Glen, and Sonoma.
Rookie Phenom Connor Zilisch Steps Up: 19-year-old sensation Connor Zilisch moves full-time to the Cup Series with Trackhouse Racing in 2026 (multi-year deal announced 2025). After dominating Xfinity (10 wins, regular-season title in 2025) and strong Cup cameos, he’s the hottest young talent entering the premier level-watch for Red Bull-backed schemes and immediate road-course threats.
Defending Champ & Team Dynamics: Kyle Larson returns as defending champion (Hendrick Motorsports), with Chevrolet unveiling a new ZL1 body style for 2026. Other notes include crew chief changes (e.g., at RCR) and manufacturer tweaks-expect Hendrick, Trackhouse, and others to push hard early.
Two Off Weekends for Better Pacing: The series adds a second break (Easter weekend April 5 and post-Indy summer break August 2), giving teams and fans breathing room amid the 38-race grind (36 points + exhibitions).
TV & Broadcast Split: Coverage rotates across FOX/FS1 (early season), Amazon Prime Video (mid-season highlights like Coca-Cola 600), TNT (select races like Sonoma and Chicagoland), and NBC/USA/Peacock (playoffs and finale). All events stream on platforms and air on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.
You can also check out the 2026 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Schedule and the 2026 NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts schedules for the upcoming season.
