Brace yourselves, NASCAR Fans! The moment we’ve all been waiting for is finally here. Forget the holidays, this is the real season of giving. NASCAR just dropped the full start times and network schedule for the 2026 season.

It’s time to start circling dates, booking flights, and telling your boss you’ll be “sick” on a few specific Mondays. If you live and breathe burning rubber and the roar of 40 engines battling for glory, this is your holy grail. Let’s break down what 2026 has in store for us, because there’s a lot to get fired up about.

Key Changes for the 2026 Season

First things first, let’s talk about the big moves for 2026. NASCAR isn’t just sitting back and letting things get stale. We’ve got a new series name to get used to, with the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series officially taking over for what we all knew as the Xfinity Series. It’ll still be the proving ground for tomorrow’s superstars, but now with a new coat of paint.

The broadcast partners are shifting gears again, too. We’ll see the return of Prime Video and TNT Sports for their second year, splitting that crucial summer stretch. This means more ways to watch, but you’d better have your channel guide handy.

USA Network and NBC are bringing it home with the final 14 races, including the entire nail-biting playoff run. And for you traditionalists, don’t worry, FOX and FS1 still have the first half of the season locked down, kicking things off with the Great American Race.

Your 2026 Must-See Race Breakdown

Mark your calendars, because the 2026 season is packed with can’t-miss action from start to finish.

Kicking Off with a Bang:

The season gets roaring back to life on February 1st with the Cook Out Clash returning to the legendary Bowman Gray Stadium. “The Madhouse” is the perfect place to start the chaos, and you can catch it under the lights at 8 p.m. ET on FOX. Then, all eyes turn to the high banks of Daytona. The 500 is set for February 15th at 2:30 p.m. ET on FOX. It’s the race every driver dreams of winning and the one that sets the tone for the whole year.

Sizzling Summer Showdowns:

As the weather heats up, so does the schedule. Prime Video takes the wheel on May 24th for the grueling Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte. But the real head-turner is the race on June 21st. NASCAR is heading to Naval Base Coronado in San Diego to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Navy. A street race on a naval base? That’s the kind of bold, All-American move we love to see.

Then, TNT Sports picks up the torch, launching their coverage and the new In-Season Challenge at Sonoma on June 28th. This five-race bracket-style tournament with a cool million dollars on the line is going to add a whole new layer of intensity to the summer grind. You know the drivers are going to be beating and banging for that cash.

The Thrilling Road to the Championship:

The regular season wraps up under the lights at Daytona on August 29th, and you know what that means: pure, unadulterated chaos as drivers fight for those last few playoff spots. From there, it’s a ten-race dogfight to the finish. The playoffs will once again test drivers on every type of track, from the high banks of Bristol and Talladega to the technical challenges of the Charlotte Roval.

The journey culminates on November 8th at Homestead-Miami Speedway. After a year of blood, sweat, and tears, one driver will be crowned the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series Champion. With the finale back at Homestead, we’re guaranteed a thrilling conclusion as drivers ride the ragged edge right against the wall, hunting for that title.

Final Thoughts

The 2026 season is shaping up to be one for the history books. With new venues, new challenges, and the same raw passion that makes this sport the greatest in the world, you won’t want to miss a single lap. So get your tickets, set your DVRs, and get ready for another year of unforgettable NASCAR action.