The NASCAR Cup Series rolls into Memorial Day weekend with its longest race of the year – the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Spanning 600 miles, four stages, and the only daylight-to-night sky transition on the calendar, the Coca-Cola 600 is one of the four crown jewels of the Cup Series and a true endurance test for cars, crews, and tire strategy.
Whether you are heading to Charlotte or watching from home, here is the complete weekend itinerary, including practice sessions, qualifying, and the green flag for the main event.
Coca-Cola 600 Event Overview
- Date: Sunday, May 24, 2026
- Track: Charlotte Motor Speedway – Concord, NC
- Distance: 400 Laps (600 miles – longest race on the Cup Series calendar)
- Format: Four-stage race (the only Cup Series race with four stages)
- Defending Winner: Ross Chastain
- 2026 Pole Winner: TBD (updated after qualifying)
Full Weekend Schedule & TV Times
All times are listed in Eastern Time (ET). Schedule is subject to change due to weather. The latest official information is published on the NASCAR Cup Series 2026 schedule page.
| Date | Event | Time (ET) | TV / Stream |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fri, May 22 | Cup Series Practice | TBD | TBD |
| Sat, May 23 | Cup Series Qualifying | TBD | TBD |
| Sun, May 24 | Coca-Cola 600 (Main Event) | 6:00 PM | Amazon Prime Video |
Printable Coca-Cola 600 Schedule & Tracker
Download our signature minimalist, low-ink PDF for the weekend. This one-page tracker includes the weekend schedule and a blank Lap Leader and Top 10 grid for you to fill out during the race.
2026 NASCAR Cup Series Resource Hub
Looking for the full season outlook? Browse the complete 2026 schedule, including all playoff dates, road courses, and the international San Diego debut. We also keep printable, low-ink schedules for the other two NASCAR national series:
- 2026 NASCAR Cup Series Schedule: Full schedule and printable PDF
- 2026 NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series Schedule: Full schedule and printable PDF
- 2026 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Schedule: Full schedule and printable PDF
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What channel is the NASCAR race on today?
The Coca-Cola 600 will be broadcast live on Amazon Prime Video. The Memorial Day weekend race begins in daylight and runs into the night under the Charlotte lights.
How many stages are in the Coca-Cola 600?
The Coca-Cola 600 is the only Cup Series race with four stages instead of the usual three:
- Stage 1: Ends at Lap 100
- Stage 2: Ends at Lap 200
- Stage 3: Ends at Lap 300
- Final Stage: Ends at Lap 400 (Checkered Flag)
What time does the green flag drop?
While the broadcast begins at 6:00 PM ET, the official green flag is scheduled to wave at approximately 6:15 PM ET.
