There’s lower than two weeks till NASCAR unofficially begins its season with the exhibition Cook dinner Out Conflict at Bowman Grey Stadium and fewer than a month till the 68th Daytona 500 formally kicks off the 2026 marketing campaign on Feb. 15.
Listed below are 5 of probably the most anticipated Cup Sequence races of 2026.
5. Daytona 500 | Feb. 15 (2:30 p.m. ET, FOX)
It is laborious to examine Daytona ever not being on this checklist. The 68th operating of the “Nice American Race” will start one other season of Cup Sequence racing after an offseason that noticed the game undergo each tragedies and triumphs, together with the introduction of a brand new championship format.
NASCAR has actual momentum behind it going into 2026, and one other Daytona basic would solely hold that momentum up because the season will get underway.
4. NASCAR Cup Sequence Finale | Homestead-Miami Speedway | Nov. 8 (3 p.m. ET, NBC)
For the primary time since 2019, NASCAR will conclude its season at Homestead. The 1.5-mile oval is often house to implausible, multi-groove motion. With the return of the Chase making the 2026 championship battle an unpredictable one going into the season, Homestead might get to play host to an epic title battle in its return because the season finale.
3. NASCAR Cup Sequence Race at Chicagoland Speedway | July 5 (6 p.m. ET, TNT)
Chicagoland hasn’t hosted a Cup Sequence race since 2019, however will probably be introduced again in 2026. NASCAR has raced on the streets of Chicago for the final three years, however will return to the 1.5-mile oval in Joliet, Illinois, this season.
With NASCAR’s Subsequent-Gen automotive considerably bettering the racing product on intermediate tracks comparable to Chicagoland, hopes are excessive that the monitor’s return will see a stable on-track product that convinces NASCAR to maintain Chicagoland on the schedule for years to return.
2. Anduril 250 | Naval Base Coronado | June 21 (4 p.m. ET, Prime Video)
The Chicago Avenue Race may be gone, however road racing in NASCAR just isn’t. NASCAR will take over Naval Base Coronado – located simply outdoors San Diego – this summer season for a road race on a army base. The race retains road racing part of NASCAR whereas additionally coming again to a Southern California promote it hasn’t raced in since 2023.
1. Window World 450 | North Wilkesboro Speedway | July 19 (7 p.m. ET, TNT)
For the primary time since 1996, North Wilkesboro will play host to a NASCAR Cup Sequence factors race. The monitor made its triumphant return to NASCAR in 2023 and has hosted the All-Star Race for the previous three years, however is again to its rightful place as a points-paying occasion.
This race would be the intersection of NASCAR’s previous and current: a monitor that has existed since earlier than NASCAR itself was included, enjoying host to a primetime showdown with all the sport’s present stars battling for the win.
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