The NASCAR Cup Series rolls into New Hampshire Motor Speedway for the USA Today 301. The flat 1.058-mile oval in Loudon places a premium on long-run tire management, late-braking discipline into Turns 1 and 3, and clean traffic management once the field starts catching lapped cars. With the regular season’s playoff cutoff one race away, every stage point at the Magic Mile carries weight.
Whether you are heading to Loudon or watching from home, here is the complete weekend itinerary, including practice sessions, qualifying, and the green flag for the main event.
USA Today 301 Event Overview
- Date: Sunday, August 23, 2026
- Track: New Hampshire Motor Speedway, Loudon, NH (1.058-mile flat oval)
- Distance: 301 Laps (approximately 318 miles)
- Defending Winner: Ryan Blaney
- 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, Aug 21 | Cup Series Practice | TBD | TBD |
| Sat, Aug 22 | Cup Series Qualifying | TBD | TBD |
| Sun, Aug 23 | USA Today 301 (Main Event) | 3:00 PM | USA Network |
Printable USA Today 301 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 USA Today 301 will be broadcast live on USA Network. Streaming is also available via Peacock for USA Network subscribers.
How many stages are in the USA Today 301?
The race consists of three stages:
- Stage 1: Ends at Lap 70
- Stage 2: Ends at Lap 185
- Final Stage: Ends at Lap 301 (Checkered Flag)
What time does the green flag drop?
While the broadcast begins at 3:00 PM ET, the official green flag is scheduled to wave at approximately 3:15 PM ET.
