2026 NASCAR Cup Series
American motorsport season
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The 2026 NASCAR Cup Series is the 78th season for NASCAR professional stock car racing in the United States and the 55th season for the modern-era Cup Series. The preseason featured the Cook Out Clash exhibition race on February 4 at Bowman Gray Stadium, followed by the season-opening 68th running of the Daytona 500 on February 15 at Daytona International Speedway. The season will end at Homestead–Miami Speedway on November 8.[1]
Kyle Larson of Hendrick Motorsports returns as the reigning NASCAR Cup Series champion.[2]
Teams and drivers
Chartered teams
Non-chartered teams
| Manufacturer | Team | No. | Driver | Crew chief | Races | References |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chevrolet | Beard Motorsports | 62 | Anthony Alfredo | Darren Shaw | 1 | [56][57] |
| Casey Mears | 5 | |||||
| JR Motorsports | 40 | Justin Allgaier | Greg Ives | 1 | [58] | |
| Live Fast Motorsports | 78 | B. J. McLeod | David Ingram | 2 | [59][60] | |
| Daniel Dye | 4 | |||||
| NY Racing Team | 44 | J. J. Yeley | Jay Guy | 2 | [59][61] | |
| Joey Gase | 1 | |||||
| Richard Childress Racing | 33 | Jesse Love | Andy Street | 3 | [62][63][64][65] | |
| Austin Hill | 5 | |||||
| Ford | Front Row Motorsports | 36 | Chandler Smith | Seth Barbour | 1 | [66] |
| Garage 66 | 66 | Casey Mears | Jason Miller 4 Carl Long 1 |
1 | [67][68][69][70][71] | |
| Timmy Hill | 1 | |||||
| Chad Finchum | 3 | |||||
| Josh Bilicki | 1 | |||||
| TBA | 5 | |||||
| RFK Racing | 99 | Corey LaJoie | Mike Skarbowski | 1 | [72] | |
| Toyota | 23XI Racing | 67 | Corey Heim | Bootie Barker | 12 | [73][74] |
| Legacy Motor Club | 84 | Jimmie Johnson | Chad Johnston | 2 | [75][76][77] |
Team changes
Chevrolet unveiled a new body style for the ZL1 in November 2025 for the 2026 season to replace the model that had been used since 2022. The redesign is based on the Camaro ZL1 Carbon Performance Package accessories kit.[78] Haas Factory Team and Rick Ware Racing switched from Ford to Chevrolet in 2026.[4] HFT has a technical alliance with Hendrick Motorsports, while RWR formed a technical partnership with Richard Childress Racing.[24]
Driver changes
Justin Haley did not return to Spire Motorsports.[25] Haley returned to Kaulig Racing, driving in the Craftsman Truck Series.[79] Daniel Suárez, who was released from Trackhouse Racing, moved to Spire Motorports in Haley's place.[26]
Rookie
Connor Zilisch signed a multi-year contract with Trackhouse Racing to replace Suárez in 2026.[34]
Rule changes
Technical changes
Horsepower
Horsepower increased from 670 to 750 at tracks under 1.5 miles and road courses.[80]
Track packages
Bristol, Darlington, Dover, Nashville, New Hampshire, and St. Louis would run the short track package rather than the intermediate package from previous years.[81] NASCAR also mandated a permanent A-post flap for all races to prevent flips. The A-post flap debuted last year at Daytona II.[82]
Policy changes
Loosening lower series restriction
The amount of races full-time Cup drivers can run in the O'Reilly Auto Parts Series and Craftsman Truck Series was increased to ten and eight, respectively, up from the 2025 restriction of five in each series. Cup drivers remain ineligible for points, as well as unable to compete in the regular season finale and postseason events.[83]
Age limit
The minimum age requirement to race in the O'Reilly Auto Parts series was lowered to 17 for road courses and oval tracks less than 1.25 miles in length. This change creates a staggered minimum age: 16 in Trucks, 17 in O'Reilly, and 18 in Cup series events.[84]
Qualifying hand restriction
The restriction of hands out the window during qualifying at drafting tracks such as Daytona, Talladega, and Atlanta (EchoPark) was added, and drivers who touch the window net or the hole in between to redirect air will have their qualifying time disallowed.[85] Noah Gragson was the first to break this rule, having his Daytona 500 qualifying time erased.[86]
Charter agreement changes
Following the outcome of the 23XI Racing lawsuit, all teams were offered "evergreen" charters. In contrast to previous agreements, which expired at a set date, the new agreement would include charters that would not expire.[87]
Points system changes
Postseason format
NASCAR revealed a new postseason format in January 2026. Used in the top three series, it is a return of the Chase format previously used from 2004 to 2013. The top 16 drivers on points after 26 races will qualify for the Chase, with the 'win-and-you’re-in' rule being scrapped, and starting points in the Chase will be staggered based on the regular season standings.[88] This format replaced a derided playoff system, which included four "rounds" with points resets. With the change, playoff points are no longer awarded.[88]
First-place point increase
The points awarded for finishing first in a race was increased from 40 to 55.[88]
Fastest lap restriction
Drivers who enter the garage during a race will no longer be eligible for the fastest lap bonus point. If the driver's fastest lap was achieved before they entered the garage, it will still stand.[89]
Schedule
The 2026 schedule consists of 32 oval races, 3 road course races, 1 street track race, and 3 non-championship races to be held on ovals.[1]
Notes: Race names and title sponsors are subject to change. Not all title sponsors/names of races have been announced for 2026. For the races where a 2026 name and title sponsor has yet to be announced, the title sponsors/names of those races in 2025 are listed.[1]
Bolded races indicate an event generally known as a Crown Jewel race.
O Oval track
R Road course
S Street course
Notes
- The Clash was originally scheduled to take place on February 1 but was postponed to February 2, before being again postponed to February 4 due to snow in Winston-Salem.[91]
Confirmed schedule changes
Homestead–Miami Speedway returned to its traditional date as the season finale for all three major series.[105] To accommodate this change, New Hampshire Motor Speedway was removed from The Chase.[1] Chicago Street Course officials announced that the Grant Park 165 will not return in 2026, with hopes to revive the event in future seasons.[106] The Cup Series returned to Southern California with a street race at Naval Base Coronado near San Diego.[107] To accommodate this change, Mexico City was dropped from the schedule due to a conflict with the 2026 FIFA World Cup.[108] The NASCAR All-Star Race moved from North Wilkesboro Speedway to Dover Motor Speedway, giving the former a points race, the first regular-season race held since 1996.[1] Chicagoland Speedway returned to the schedule for the first time since 2019.[1] The Charlotte Motor Speedway fall race moved away from the roval layout to the oval, after seven years as a road course race.[109]
Season summary
Preseason races
Due to a historic snowstorm over the United States, the Cook Out Clash was postponed three times from its original Saturday and Sunday dates, before ultimately being condensed to a one-day event on Wednesday, February 4.[110][111][91] Reigning champion Kyle Larson won pole position. Weather plagued the event, causing NASCAR to mandate use of wet weather tires after a scheduled half-race break. After a event record 17 cautions, Ryan Preece won the Clash, joining Jeff Gordon and Denny Hamlin as drivers who won the Clash before winning their first race.[112]
The Duel at Daytona races set the starting order for the Daytona 500, with the exception of the front row, which is set by the fastest two times in qualifying. Kyle Busch and Chase Briscoe won the pole and second place respectively, and therefore started first in each duel race.[113] During the first Duel, RFK Racing dominated the majority of the race, seeking to help Corey LaJoie clinch among the "Open" cars, as he had not qualified for the race. Unfortunately for LaJoie, a last lap wreck ended his chances of making the 500. Casey Mears, despite a spin earlier in the race, dodged LaJoie during the wreck, clinching his spot into the race, as well as making his first Daytona 500 start since 2019's race.[114]
During the second Duel, which ran caution-free, Chase Elliott finished 0.065 seconds ahead of Carson Hocevar.[114] Anthony Alfredo finished in position to make the Daytona 500 as the last open car, but was disqualified after a post-race technical inspection found that his car's cooling hoses were not secured. Due to the disqualification, the next-best finishing open car, driven by B. J. McLeod, qualified for the race.[115]
Regular season
NASCAR moved the Daytona 500 start time forward an hour to 1:30 p.m. eastern time due to the threat of rain in the evening.[93] Zane Smith won stage one after staying out in the middle of pit cycles, as well as getting his first career stage win. Stage two featured a battle between Kyle Busch and Kyle Larson for a battle for the lead for the majority of the stage, Bubba Wallace however won the second stage, after narrowly avoiding "The Big One", caused by Denny Hamlin tapping Justin Allgaier's rear bumper, triggering a 20-car pileup on the tri-oval.[116] After a restart with five laps remaining, Tyler Reddick escaped two wrecks and passed Chase Elliott for the win exiting turn four.[117]
Tyler Reddick won the pole at Atlanta, after qualifying was canceled due to rain.[118] The race had set a new track record for 17 lead changes in stage one, with Austin Cindric winning the stage. William Byron appeared to have won stage two, however Bubba Wallace was later ruled as the stage winner due to a spin by Kyle Larson just feet behind him. During overtime, Reddick, who was involved in a crash on 160, won the race. Reddick became the sixth driver ever, and the first since Matt Kenseth in 2009 to win the first two races of the season.[119]
Tyler Reddick won his second pole of the season at Austin, his third pole win at the track, with the other pole wins being 2021 and 2025.[120] Pit strategies shook up the stage standings, with Ross Chastain winning stage one, and Ty Gibbs winning stage two. On lap 76, Myatt Snider replaced Alex Bowman, as Bowman experienced vertigo symptoms during the race.[121] Reddick dominated the later half of the race, becoming the first driver in series history to win the first three races to begin a season.[122]
Joey Logano won the pole at Phoenix.[123] Similar to the last season's fall race at the track, tires had increased tire wear, playing a key role in the race. Ryan Blaney won stage one, and Christopher Bell won stage two. A late race caution on lap 295 reset the field, as Bell had led 176 laps to that point. Blaney passed the leader, Ty Gibbs, on lap 303, holding off a hard charging Bell and ultimately winning the race, getting his second consecutive win at the track.[124]
Christopher Bell won the pole at Las Vegas.[125] Bell won stage one, and William Byron won stage two. Denny Hamlin, who finished second to Bell in qualifying, dominated the race. Hamlin would overcome a pit road speeding penalty earlier in the race, and leading a race high 134 laps en-route to his 61st Cup Series win, putting him 10th all time on NASCAR's all-time winners, as well as claiming his second consecutive win at the track.[126]
Tyler Reddick won the pole at Darlington.[127] Brad Keselowski swept the stages, seeking to get his first win since 2024's running of the race. Reddick was battling for the lead with Keselowski, eventually overtaking him on lap 265, winning the race and continuing his early season success. Reddick became the third driver ever; along with Dale Earnhardt and Bill Elliott, to win 4 of the first 6 races of a season.[128][129]
Denny Hamlin won the pole at Martinsville.[130] A caution came out on lap 77, ending stage one early with Hamlin winning. Hamlin would eventually sweep the stages. Chase Elliott would take advantage of a late race caution, and would hold off Hamlin for his 22nd career win, and first win at Martinsville since 2020.[131]
Ryan Blaney won the pole at Bristol.[132] Kyle Larson swept the stages for the second straight day, as he also swept Saturday's O'Reilly race stages. A late race caution on lap 498 would shake up overtime, with Ty Gibbs holding off a hard charging Blaney and Larson to get his first career Cup Series win, becoming the first Cup driver to get their first win at Bristol Motor Speedway since Kurt Busch in 2002.[133]
Tyler Reddick won the pole at Kansas. Denny Hamlin won stage one, and Kyle Larson won stage two. Reddick originally ran out of fuel on lap 266 before a spin by Cody Ware triggered a caution, forcing overtime. Reddick, following pit stops, was able to pass three cars in the final two laps of overtime for his fifth win of the season,[134] becoming the first driver since Dale Earnhardt in 1987 to win five of the first nine races in a season.
Rain at Talladega canceled qualifying, with Tyler Reddick winning the pole.[135] The stages were changed to prevent fuel saving.[136] Ryan Preece won stage one. On lap 115, "The Big One" struck, taking out 26 drivers, such as Kyle Larson, Bubba Wallace, Joey Logano, Daniel Suárez, Ty Gibbs, Ryan Blaney, and others. Ross Chastain won stage two. The race ended with Carson Hocevar scoring his first career win by 0.114 seconds over Chris Buescher and Alex Bowman.[137]
Results and standings
Race results
Drivers' championship
(Key) Bold – Pole position awarded by time. Italics – Pole position set by competition-based formula. * – Most laps led. F – Fastest lap. 1 – Stage 1 winner. 2 – Stage 2 winner. 3 – Stage 3 winner.[N 1]
| Pos. | Driver | DAY | ATL | COA | PHO | LVS | DAR | MAR | BRI | KAN | TAL | TEX | GLN | CLT | NSS | MCH | POC | COR | SON | CHI | ATL | NWS | IND | IOW | RCH | NHA | DAY | DAR | GTW | BRI | KAN | LVS | CLT | PHO | TAL | MAR | HOM | Pts. | Stages | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyler Reddick | 1 | 1* | 1* | 8 | 13 | 1 | 15 | 4 | 1 | 14 | 484 | 78 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2 | Denny Hamlin | 31 | 13 | 10 | 5 | 1*F | 11 | 2*12F | 9 | 4*1 | 15 | 374 | 83 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 3 | Ryan Blaney | 27 | 10 | 8 | 11 | 16 | 3 | 6 | 2F | 24 | 37 | 344 | 87 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 4 | Chase Elliott | 4 | 11 | 7 | 23 | 2 | 15 | 1 | 22 | 8 | 4 | 340 | 48 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 5 | Ty Gibbs | 23 | 37 | 42 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 4 | 1 | 9 | 34 | 322 | 59 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 6 | Kyle Larson | 16 | 32 | 6 | 3 | 7 | 32 | 9 | 3*12 | 22 | 40 | 315 | 91 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 7 | Chris Buescher | 7 | 15 | 24 | 14 | 6 | 9 | 19 | 13 | 10 | 2 | 309 | 58 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 8 | Carson Hocevar | 18F | 4 | 31 | 20 | 22 | 4 | 17 | 10 | 13 | 1 | 292 | 42 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 9 | Christopher Bell | 35 | 21 | 3 | 2*2 | 41 | 19 | 7 | 27 | 20F | 17* | 290 | 73 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 10 | Brad Keselowski | 5 | 17 | 20 | 15 | 10 | 2*12 | 13 | 14 | 6 | 31 | 279 | 42 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 11 | William Byron | 12 | 28 | 13 | 7 | 32 | 8 | 5 | 30 | 7 | 35 | 277 | 55 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 12 | Bubba Wallace | 10*2 | 82 | 11 | 6 | 9 | 34F | 36 | 11 | 5 | 36 | 276 | 71 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 13 | Ryan Preece | 25 | 9 | 18 | 13 | 11 | 13 | 12 | 8 | 11 | 181 | 269 | 37 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 14 | Daniel Suárez | 13 | 5 | 25 | 30 | 18 | 7 | 20 | 12 | 19 | 12 | 235 | 26 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 15 | Joey Logano | 3 | 18 | 15 | 31F | 15 | 33 | 3 | 7 | 30 | 39 | 234 | 54 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 16 | Austin Cindric | 34 | 261 | 32 | 34 | 19 | 5 | 8 | 16 | 12 | 8 | 226 | 50 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 17 | Chase Briscoe | 36 | 2 | 37 | 37 | 8 | 12 | 14 | 5 | 3 | 29 | 222 | 32 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 18 | Ross Chastain | 20 | 3 | 351F | 28 | 17 | 16 | 16 | 20 | 26 | 72 | 205 | 22 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 19 | Shane van Gisbergen | 30 | 6 | 2 | 11 | 36 | 14 | 11 | 34 | 36 | 20 | 195 | 24 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 20 | Zane Smith | 61 | 7 | 33 | 27 | 14 | 22 | 34 | 19 | 32 | 5F | 183 | 11 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 21 | A. J. Allmendinger | 19 | 12 | 9 | 19 | 24 | 30 | 27 | 15 | 31 | 16 | 183 | 15 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 22 | Todd Gilliland | 39 | 25 | 21 | 12 | 34 | 23 | 23 | 6 | 17 | 11 | 181 | 19 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 23 | Michael McDowell | 22 | 20 | 5 | 9 | 26 | 20 | 18 | 24 | 34 | 32 | 179 | 19 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 24 | Austin Dillon | 37 | 29 | 19 | 16 | 12 | 25 | 25 | 18 | 16 | 19 | 163 | 8 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 25 | Ricky Stenhouse Jr. | 2 | 36 | 28 | 22 | 29 | 29 | 30 | 17 | 21 | 6 | 161 | 11 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 26 | Erik Jones | 21 | 24 | 34 | 10 | 20 | 10 | 21 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 161 | – | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 27 | Kyle Busch | 15 | 34 | 12 | 17 | 28 | 21 | 24 | 25 | 35 | 10 | 160 | 11 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 28 | Josh Berry | 9 | 38 | 26 | 32 | 31 | 17 | 10 | 32 | 27 | 33 | 147 | 30 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 29 | Riley Herbst | 8 | 33 | 23 | 18 | 23 | 35 | 35 | 21 | 14 | 25 | 144 | 9 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 30 | Noah Gragson | 11 | 14 | 22 | 36 | 30 | 26 | 28 | 26 | 28 | 9 | 144 | 4 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 31 | John Hunter Nemechek | 26 | 19 | 17 | 25 | 21 | 27 | 29 | 35 | 22 | 22 | 141 | 14 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 32 | Ty Dillon | 14 | 16 | 16 | 26 | 33 | 31 | 37 | 29 | 33 | 13 | 123 | – | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 33 | Connor Zilisch (R) | 33 | 30 | 14 | 29 | 32 | 18 | 26 | 33 | 29 | 26 | 103 | 2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 34 | Cole Custer | 24 | 22F | 29 | 35 | 27 | 28 | 31 | 28 | 25 | 38 | 89 | 3 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 35 | Cody Ware | 17 | 27 | 30 | 24 | 35 | 36 | 32 | 31 | 37 | 21 | 85 | 4 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 36 | Alex Bowman | 40 | 23 | 36 | 37 | 18 | 3 | 80 | 10 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 37 | Casey Mears | 32 | Wth | DNQ | 9 | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 38 | B. J. McLeod | 41 | 35 | 3 | – | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Corey LaJoie | DNQ | – | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Ineligible for driver points | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Pos. | Driver | DAY | ATL | COA | PHO | LVS | DAR | MAR | BRI | KAN | TAL | TEX | GLN | CLT | NSS | MCH | POC | COR | SON | CHI | ATL | NWS | IND | IOW | RCH | NHA | DAY | DAR | GTW | BRI | KAN | LVS | CLT | PHO | TAL | MAR | HOM | Pts. | Stage | |
| Corey Heim | 28 | 15 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Austin Hill | 21 | 33 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Justin Allgaier | 38 | 25 | 24 | 22 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Daniel Dye | 24 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Jesse Love | 27 | 27 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Chad Finchum | 36 | 28 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Jimmie Johnson | 29 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Joey Gase | 30 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| J. J. Yeley | DNQ | 31 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Anthony Alfredo | DNQ | 33 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Timmy Hill | 37 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Chandler Smith | DNQ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Myatt Snider | RL† | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Pos. | Driver | DAY | ATL | COA | PHO | LVS | DAR | MAR | BRI | KAN | TAL | TEX | GLN | CLT | NSS | MCH | POC | COR | SON | CHI | ATL | NWS | IND | IOW | RCH | NHA | DAY | DAR | GTW | BRI | KAN | LVS | ROV | PHO | TAL | MAR | HOM | Pts. | Stage | |
| † – Relieved for Alex Bowman | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Reference:[139] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
- Notes
- Stage 3 winner only for the Coca-Cola 600
Manufacturers' championship
After 10 of 36 races