2026 NASCAR Season Broadcast Details Unveiled, Featuring Expanded Network Presence and Key Start Times

NASCAR has officially released the comprehensive broadcast schedule and start times for its 2026 season, encompassing the premier NASCAR Cup Series, the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series, and the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series. This announcement provides fans with crucial information regarding when and where to tune into the action throughout the upcoming year, following the earlier reveal of the complete 2026 racing calendar in August. The upcoming season is poised to feature a dynamic mix of broadcast partners, with a significant portion of races set to air on familiar networks, alongside expanded visibility on new platforms.

The NASCAR Cup Series calendar for 2026 will include nine points-paying night races, a notable increase designed to enhance viewer engagement during prime time. A significant addition to the schedule is the return of Chicagoland Speedway, a venue that has historically delivered thrilling racing and is welcomed back by many within the sport. As anticipated, the broadcast distribution will largely follow established patterns: the majority of races held under FOX’s broadcast umbrella will be televised on FOX Sports 1 (FS1), while races secured by NBC will primarily be broadcast on USA Network. However, the 2026 season introduces a broader range of network partners, including Prime Video and TNT, indicating a strategic move to broaden the sport’s reach and cater to diverse viewing habits.

The 2026 NASCAR Cup Series season kicks off with the traditional exhibition Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium on February 1st, scheduled for an 8:00 PM EST start on FOX. The following week, the iconic Daytona Duels will take place on February 12th at 7:00 PM EST, broadcast on FS1, setting the stage for the main event. The crown jewel, the Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway, will commence on February 15th at 2:30 PM EST, with broadcast duties handled by FOX. The early season continues with races at Atlanta (February 22nd, 3:00 PM EST on FOX), Circuit of the Americas (March 1st, 3:30 PM EST on FOX), and Phoenix Raceway (March 8th, 3:30 PM EST on FS1).

The schedule then moves to Las Vegas Motor Speedway on March 15th at 4:00 PM EST on FS1, followed by 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. A brief off-week for Easter is observed before racing resumes at Bristol Motor Speedway on April 12th at 3:00 PM EST on FS1. The month of April features races at Kansas Speedway (April 19th, 2:00 PM EST on FOX) and Talladega Superspeedway (April 26th, 3:00 PM EST on FOX).

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May marks a significant shift in broadcast partners for several key races. The Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway on May 24th will air at 6:00 PM EST on Prime Video, followed by the Nashville Superspeedway race on May 31st at 7:00 PM EST, also on Prime Video. Michigan International Speedway on June 7th (3:00 PM EST on Prime Video) and Pocono Raceway on June 14th (3:00 PM EST on Prime Video) will continue this trend. A race in San Diego on June 21st is scheduled for 4:00 PM EST on Prime Video. The month concludes with a shift to TNT for the Sonoma Raceway event on June 28th at 3:30 PM EST.

The return of Chicagoland Speedway to the Cup Series calendar is a significant storyline, with its race scheduled for July 5th at 6:00 PM EST on TNT. This is followed by a return to Atlanta (July 12th, 7:00 PM EST on TNT) and a stop at North Wilkesboro Speedway on July 19th at 7:00 PM EST, also on TNT. The Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on July 26th will be broadcast on TNT at 2:00 PM EST.

The latter half of the regular season sees a transition to USA Network. Iowa Speedway hosts a race on August 9th at 3:30 PM EST on USA. Richmond Raceway follows on August 15th at 7:00 PM EST on USA, with New Hampshire Motor Speedway on August 23rd at 3:00 PM EST on USA. The regular season concludes with a race at Daytona International Speedway on August 29th at 7:30 PM EST on NBC, leading into the playoff races.

The NASCAR Cup Series playoffs will feature races at Darlington Raceway for the Southern 500 on September 6th at 5:00 PM EST on USA. WWT Raceway (Gateway) on September 13th at 3:00 PM EST on USA, and 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 will host subsequent playoff events. The Charlotte Motor Speedway ROVAL on October 11th at 3:00 PM EST on USA, followed by Phoenix Raceway on October 18th at 3:00 PM EST on USA, will set the stage for the championship finale. The season concludes with the championship races at Talladega Superspeedway on October 25th at 2:00 PM EST on NBC, Martinsville Speedway on November 1st at 2:00 PM EST on NBC, and Homestead-Miami Speedway on November 8th at 3:00 PM EST on NBC.

The NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series schedule sees a broad distribution across The CW network for the entire season. The season opener is at Daytona International Speedway on February 14th at 5:00 PM EST. Subsequent races include Atlanta (February 21st, 5:00 PM EST), Circuit of the Americas (February 28th, 3:00 PM EST), Phoenix (March 7th, 7:30 PM EST), and Las Vegas (March 14th, 5:30 PM EST). Darlington Raceway hosts a race on March 21st at 5:30 PM EST, followed by Martinsville Speedway on March 28th at 3:30 PM EST. Rockingham Speedway joins the schedule on April 4th at 2:30 PM EST, with Bristol Motor Speedway on April 11th at 7:30 PM EST. Kansas Speedway on April 18th at 7:00 PM EST and Talladega Superspeedway on April 25th at 4:00 PM EST round out the early season.

May features races at Texas Motor Speedway (May 2nd, 3:30 PM EST), Watkins Glen International (May 9th, 4:00 PM EST), Dover Motor Speedway (May 16th, 4:00 PM EST), and Charlotte Motor Speedway (May 23rd, 5:00 PM EST). Nashville Superspeedway hosts a race on May 30th at 7:30 PM EST. The June schedule includes Pocono Raceway (June 13th, 4:00 PM EST), San Diego (June 20th, 5:00 PM EST), and Sonoma Raceway (June 27th, 5:30 PM EST). Chicagoland Speedway on July 4th at 5:30 PM EST, Atlanta on July 11th at 7:00 PM EST, and Indianapolis Motor Speedway on July 25th at 4:00 PM EST mark the mid-season events. Iowa Speedway on August 8th at 5:00 PM EST, followed by a late-season race at Daytona on August 28th at 7:30 PM EST, and Darlington Raceway on September 5th at 7:30 PM EST. The season concludes with races at WWT Raceway (September 12th, 7:30 PM EST), Bristol Motor Speedway (September 18th, 7:30 PM EST), Las Vegas Motor Speedway (October 3rd, 7:30 PM EST), Charlotte Motor Speedway ROVAL (October 10th, 4:00 PM EST), Phoenix Raceway (October 17th, 7:30 PM EST), Talladega Superspeedway (October 24th, 3:30 PM EST), Martinsville Speedway (October 31st, 4:00 PM EST), and Homestead-Miami Speedway (November 7th, 5:00 PM EST).

The NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series also sees significant broadcast coverage, primarily on FS1, with select races on FOX. The season begins at Daytona International Speedway on February 13th at 7:30 PM EST on FS1. EchoPark Speedway (Atlanta) on February 21st at 1:30 PM EST on FS1, and St. Petersburg on February 28th at 12:00 PM EST on FOX. 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 on April 10th at 7:30 PM EST on FS1, and Texas Motor Speedway on May 1st at 8:00 PM EST on FS1 are key early season events. Watkins Glen International on May 8th at 4:30 PM EST on FS1, Dover Motor Speedway on May 15th at 5:00 PM EST on FS1, and Charlotte Motor Speedway on May 22nd at 7:30 PM EST on FS1 continue the schedule. Nashville Superspeedway on May 29th at 8:00 PM EST on FS1.

June features Michigan International Speedway on June 6th at 1:30 PM EST on FS1, and San Diego on June 19th at 7:00 PM EST on FS1. Lime Rock Park on July 11th at 1:00 PM EST on FS1, and North Wilkesboro Speedway on July 18th at 12:30 PM EST on FS1 are notable mid-season races. Indianapolis Raceway Park 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 on FS1, and New Hampshire Motor Speedway on August 22nd at 1:30 PM EST on FS1. Bristol Motor Speedway hosts another Truck Series race on September 17th at 8:00 PM EST on FS1, followed by Kansas Speedway on September 26th at 1:00 PM EST on FS1. The Charlotte Motor Speedway ROVAL on October 9th at 5:00 PM EST on FS1, Phoenix Raceway on October 16th at 7:30 PM EST on FS1, and Talladega Superspeedway on October 23rd at 4:00 PM EST on FS1 are key races leading into the finale. The season concludes with 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.

This detailed schedule provides NASCAR fans with a clear roadmap for the 2026 season, highlighting the expanded broadcast landscape and the strategic placement of races across multiple networks to maximize viewership and engagement. The inclusion of new venues and the return of popular tracks, coupled with a diverse broadcast lineup, signals a continued evolution of the sport’s presentation to its global audience.

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