2026 NASCAR Season Broadcast Details and Start Times Unveiled

NASCAR has officially released the comprehensive broadcast schedule and start times for its 2026 season across the Cup Series, O’Reilly Auto Parts Series, and Craftsman Truck Series. This announcement follows the earlier release of the complete racing calendar in August, providing fans with crucial details on when and where to tune into the action. All times are designated in Eastern Standard Time (EST).

The premier NASCAR Cup Series season will feature a significant slate of nine points-paying night races, including the highly anticipated return of Chicagoland Speedway to the schedule. As anticipated, broadcast rights for many events will be distributed across established partners. The majority of races held under FOX’s broadcast umbrella will be aired on FOX Sports 1 (FS1), while events managed by NBC will primarily be broadcast on USA Network. This strategic allocation aims to leverage the existing viewership bases of these networks and provide consistent viewing platforms for fans throughout the season.

2026 NASCAR Cup Series: A Detailed Broadcast Breakdown

The 2026 NASCAR Cup Series season kicks off with the non-points Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium on February 1st at 8:00 PM EST, broadcast live on FOX. The traditional Speedweeks at Daytona International Speedway will commence with the Duels on February 12th at 7:00 PM EST on FS1, culminating in the iconic Daytona 500 on February 15th at 2:30 PM EST, also on FOX. This marks the official start of the points-paying championship.

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The early season swing continues with the EchoPark Speedway at Atlanta Motor Speedway on February 22nd at 3:00 PM EST on FOX, followed by a foray into road racing at the Circuit of the Americas on March 1st at 3:30 PM EST, broadcast on FOX. The series then heads to Phoenix Raceway on March 8th at 3:30 PM EST on FS1, before a westward swing to Las Vegas Motor Speedway on March 15th at 4:00 PM EST on FS1.

March will also see races at Darlington Raceway on March 22nd at 3:00 PM EST on FS1, and Martinsville Speedway on March 29th at 3:30 PM EST on FS1. The series will observe an off-week for Easter before resuming action at Bristol Motor Speedway on April 12th at 3:00 PM EST on FS1.

The schedule features a balanced mix of oval and road courses, with Kansas Speedway on April 19th at 2:00 PM EST on FOX, and the superspeedway challenge at Talladega Superspeedway on April 26th at 3:00 PM EST on FOX. Texas Motor Speedway hosts a race on May 3rd at 3:30 PM EST on FS1, followed by the scenic Watkins Glen International on May 10th at 3:00 PM EST on FS1. The All-Star Race will take place at Dover Motor Speedway on May 17th at 3:00 PM EST on FS1.

The marquee Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway is slated for May 24th at 6:00 PM EST, notably broadcast on Prime. This marks a significant shift in broadcast partners for one of NASCAR’s crown jewel events, indicating a broader media strategy for key races. Nashville Superspeedway follows on May 31st at 7:00 PM EST on Prime.

June features a series of races on Prime, including Michigan International Speedway on June 7th at 3:00 PM EST, Pocono Raceway on June 14th at 3:00 PM EST, and a return to San Diego on June 21st at 4:00 PM EST. The series then transitions to TNT for races at Sonoma Raceway on June 28th at 3:30 PM EST, and the highly anticipated return of Chicagoland Speedway on July 5th at 6:00 PM EST. Further races on TNT include EchoPark Speedway (Atlanta) on July 12th at 7:00 PM EST, North Wilkesboro Speedway on July 19th at 7:00 PM EST, and the historic Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on July 26th at 2:00 PM EST.

Following another off-week, the series will primarily be broadcast on USA Network for the latter portion of the regular season. This includes Iowa Speedway on August 9th at 3:30 PM EST, Richmond Raceway on August 15th at 7:00 PM EST, and New Hampshire Motor Speedway on August 23rd at 3:00 PM EST. The regular season concludes with a return to Daytona International Speedway on August 29th at 7:30 PM EST on NBC, followed by the Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway on September 6th at 5:00 PM EST on USA.

The playoff stretch will see races at WWT Raceway (Gateway) on September 13th at 3:00 PM EST on USA, Bristol Motor Speedway on September 19th at 7:30 PM EST on USA, Kansas Speedway on September 27th at 3:00 PM EST on USA, and Las Vegas Motor Speedway on October 4th at 5:30 PM EST on USA. The Charlotte Motor Speedway ROVAL is scheduled for October 11th at 3:00 PM EST on USA, leading into the penultimate races at Phoenix Raceway on October 18th at 3:00 PM EST on USA. The regular season finale at Talladega Superspeedway will air on NBC on October 25th at 2:00 PM EST. The Championship Four races will see Martinsville Speedway on November 1st at 2:00 PM EST and Homestead-Miami Speedway on November 8th at 3:00 PM EST, both broadcast on NBC, culminating the season.

2026 NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series: A Consistent Broadcast Partner

The O’Reilly Auto Parts Series, formerly known as the Xfinity Series, will predominantly be broadcast on The CW throughout its 2026 season. This partnership signifies a strong commitment from The CW to NASCAR’s developmental series, offering a consistent platform for fans to follow emerging talent.

The series begins its 2026 campaign at Daytona International Speedway on February 14th at 5:00 PM EST on The CW. Subsequent races include Atlanta Motor Speedway on February 21st at 5:00 PM EST, Circuit of the Americas on February 28th at 3:00 PM EST, and Phoenix Raceway on March 7th at 7:30 PM EST, all on The CW.

The Western swing continues with Las Vegas Motor Speedway on March 14th at 5:30 PM EST and Darlington Raceway on March 21st at 5:30 PM EST, both on The CW. Martinsville Speedway hosts a race on March 28th at 3:30 PM EST on The CW, followed by a new addition to the calendar, Rockingham Speedway, on April 4th at 2:30 PM EST on The CW.

The series will visit Bristol Motor Speedway on April 11th at 7:30 PM EST on The CW, and Kansas Speedway on April 18th at 7:00 PM EST on The CW. Talladega Superspeedway presents its challenge on April 25th at 4:00 PM EST on The CW. Texas Motor Speedway on May 2nd at 3:30 PM EST and Watkins Glen International on May 9th at 4:00 PM EST are also scheduled on The CW.

Mid-season races include Dover Motor Speedway on May 16th at 4:00 PM EST, Charlotte Motor Speedway on May 23rd at 5:00 PM EST, and Nashville Superspeedway on May 30th at 7:30 PM EST, all on The CW. June races at Pocono Raceway on June 13th at 4:00 PM EST, San Diego on June 20th at 5:00 PM EST, and Sonoma Raceway on June 27th at 5:30 PM EST continue the action on The CW.

The latter half of the season features Chicagoland Speedway on July 4th at 5:30 PM EST, EchoPark Speedway (Atlanta) on July 11th at 7:00 PM EST, and Indianapolis Motor Speedway on July 25th at 4:00 PM EST, all broadcast on The CW. Iowa Speedway on August 8th at 5:00 PM EST is another scheduled event on The CW. The series will have a return to Daytona International Speedway on August 28th at 7:30 PM EST, followed by Darlington Raceway on September 5th at 7:30 PM EST, WWT Raceway on September 12th at 7:30 PM EST, and Bristol Motor Speedway on September 18th at 7:30 PM EST, all on The CW.

The playoff run includes Las Vegas Motor Speedway on October 3rd at 7:30 PM EST, Charlotte Motor Speedway ROVAL on October 10th at 4:00 PM EST, and Phoenix Raceway on October 17th at 7:30 PM EST, all on The CW. The season concludes with races at Talladega Superspeedway on October 24th at 3:30 PM EST, Martinsville Speedway on October 31st at 4:00 PM EST, and Homestead-Miami Speedway on November 7th at 5:00 PM EST, with all final events airing on The CW.

2026 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series: FS1 Remains Primary Broadcaster

The NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series will continue its tradition of being primarily broadcast on FS1 for the 2026 season, ensuring consistent coverage for its dedicated fanbase.

The series commences its 2026 calendar at Daytona International Speedway on February 13th at 7:30 PM EST on FS1. Early season races include Atlanta Motor Speedway on February 21st at 1:30 PM EST on FS1, and a stop at St. Petersburg on February 28th at 12:00 PM EST on FOX. This marks a rare appearance on FOX for the Truck Series, indicating a strategic broadcast for a unique event.

Darlington Raceway hosts a race on March 20th at 7:30 PM EST on FS1, followed by Rockingham Speedway on April 3rd at 4:30 PM EST on FS1. Bristol Motor Speedway presents its short-track challenge on April 10th at 7:30 PM EST on FS1. Texas Motor Speedway is scheduled for May 1st at 8:00 PM EST on FS1, and Watkins Glen International on May 8th at 4:30 PM EST on FS1.

The schedule continues with Dover Motor Speedway on May 15th at 5:00 PM EST, Charlotte Motor Speedway on May 22nd at 7:30 PM EST, and Nashville Superspeedway on May 29th at 8:00 PM EST, all on FS1. Michigan International Speedway on June 6th at 1:30 PM EST and San Diego on June 19th at 7:00 PM EST are also slated for FS1.

The series will visit Lime Rock Park on July 11th at 1:00 PM EST and North Wilkesboro Speedway on July 18th at 12:30 PM EST, both on FS1. Indianapolis Raceway Park hosts an event on July 24th at 8:00 PM EST on FS1. The latter part of the season includes Richmond Raceway on August 14th at 7:30 PM EST and New Hampshire Motor Speedway on August 22nd at 1:30 PM EST, both on FS1.

The playoff portion of the Truck Series season features Bristol Motor Speedway on September 17th at 8:00 PM EST on FS1, Kansas Speedway on September 26th at 1:00 PM EST on FS1, and the Charlotte Motor Speedway ROVAL on October 9th at 5:00 PM EST on FS1. The season finale races include Phoenix Raceway on October 16th at 7:30 PM EST on FS1, Talladega Superspeedway on October 23rd at 4:00 PM EST on FS1, Martinsville Speedway on October 30th at 6:00 PM EST on FS1, and Homestead-Miami Speedway on November 6th at 7:30 PM EST on FS1, bringing the 2026 Craftsman Truck Series season to a close.