NASCAR Unveils Comprehensive 2026 Broadcast Schedule and Start Times Across All Three National Series

NASCAR has officially released the full broadcast schedule, including start times and network assignments, for its 2026 Cup Series, O’Reilly Auto Parts Series, and Craftsman Truck Series seasons. This announcement, following the earlier reveal of the complete 2026 schedule in August, provides crucial details for fans eager to plan their race-day viewing. The 2026 season promises a dynamic mix of traditional broadcast partners and new ventures, with a notable increase in night races for the premier Cup Series.

The NASCAR Cup Series will feature nine points-paying races under the lights in 2026, a significant uptick designed to enhance fan engagement and accommodate broader viewership windows. This nighttime racing slate includes the highly anticipated return of Chicagoland Speedway to the schedule. As anticipated, the majority of races broadcast by FOX will air on Fox Sports 1 (FS1), while those held by NBC will primarily be featured on USA Network.

The 2026 Cup Series season kicks off with the unconventional Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium on February 1st, set for an 8:00 PM EST start on FOX. This exhibition event, known for its short-track intensity, sets the tone for the season ahead. The following week, the traditional Duels at Daytona will take place on February 12th at 7:00 PM EST on FS1, serving as the final tune-up for the iconic Daytona 500. The "Great American Race" itself is scheduled for Sunday, February 15th, with a 2:30 PM EST start on FOX.

The early season continues with a series of high-profile venues. The EchoPark Automotive 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway on February 22nd will begin at 3:00 PM EST on FOX. The series then heads to the road course at Circuit of the Americas on March 1st, with a 3:30 PM EST start on FOX. The transition to oval racing sees the Phoenix Raceway event on March 8th at 3:30 PM EST on FS1, followed by Las Vegas Motor Speedway on March 15th at 4:00 PM EST on FS1. Darlington Raceway, often called the "Lady in Black," hosts its traditional spring race on March 22nd at 3:00 PM EST on FS1, with Martinsville Speedway’s unique half-mile oval closing out March on the 29th at 3:30 PM EST on FS1.

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Following an Easter off-week, the Cup Series returns to action on April 12th at Bristol Motor Speedway, a concrete bullring known for its close-quarters racing, with a 3:00 PM EST start on FS1. The schedule then shifts to Kansas Speedway on April 19th at 2:00 PM EST on FOX, followed by the superspeedway challenge at Talladega Superspeedway on April 26th at 3:00 PM EST on FOX. Texas Motor Speedway hosts a Saturday night race on May 3rd at 3:30 PM EST on FS1.

The road racing swing continues with Watkins Glen International on May 10th at 3:00 PM EST on FS1. The All-Star Race, a non-points event that often showcases innovative racing, is scheduled for Dover Motor Speedway on May 17th at 3:00 PM EST on FS1. Memorial Day weekend features the crown jewel Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway on May 24th, a demanding 600-mile endurance test, with a 6:00 PM EST start on Prime Video.

The summer stretch sees a diverse mix of venues. Nashville Superspeedway hosts a Saturday night race on May 31st at 7:00 PM EST on Prime Video. Michigan International Speedway on June 7th at 3:00 PM EST on Prime Video, followed by Pocono Raceway on June 14th at 3:00 PM EST on Prime Video. The series then heads to San Diego for a race on June 21st at 4:00 PM EST on Prime Video, before concluding June at Sonoma Raceway on June 28th at 3:30 PM EST on TNT.

July marks the return of Chicagoland Speedway to the Cup Series calendar on July 5th, with a 6:00 PM EST start on TNT, a significant development for fans in the Midwest. Atlanta Motor Speedway hosts its second Cup Series event of the year on July 12th at 7:00 PM EST on TNT, and North Wilkesboro Speedway, a beloved short track, features a primetime slot on July 19th at 7:00 PM EST on TNT. The Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway is set for July 26th at 2:00 PM EST on TNT.

Following another off-week, the playoff picture begins to take shape in August. Iowa Speedway hosts its Cup Series debut on August 9th at 3:30 PM EST on USA Network. Richmond Raceway’s unique short-track action is scheduled for August 15th at 7:00 PM EST on USA Network. New Hampshire Motor Speedway on August 23rd at 3:00 PM EST on USA Network. The regular season finale at Daytona International Speedway is set for August 29th at 7:30 PM EST on NBC, a prime-time slot on the flagship network.

The NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs commence with the Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway on September 6th at 5:00 PM EST on USA Network. The playoff schedule continues with WWT Raceway (Gateway) on September 13th at 3:00 PM EST on USA Network, followed by Bristol Motor Speedway on September 19th at 7:30 PM EST on USA Network. Kansas Speedway on September 27th at 3:00 PM EST on USA Network, and Las Vegas Motor Speedway on October 4th at 5:30 PM EST on USA Network. The Charlotte Motor Speedway ROVAL on October 11th at 3:00 PM EST on USA Network, and Phoenix Raceway on October 18th at 3:00 PM EST on USA Network, will determine the championship contenders. 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 the season finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway on November 8th at 3:00 PM EST on NBC.

The NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series, a crucial development league for aspiring drivers, will see its races predominantly broadcast on The CW in 2026. The season opener at Daytona International Speedway is slated for February 14th at 5:00 PM EST. Atlanta Motor Speedway follows 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. The series visits Las Vegas Motor Speedway on March 14th at 5:30 PM EST, and Darlington Raceway on March 21st at 5:30 PM EST. Martinsville Speedway hosts a race on March 28th at 3:30 PM EST, and Rockingham Speedway on April 4th at 2:30 PM EST. Bristol Motor Speedway on April 11th at 7:30 PM EST, and Kansas Speedway on April 18th at 7:00 PM EST. Talladega Superspeedway on April 25th at 4:00 PM EST, and Texas Motor Speedway on May 2nd at 3:30 PM EST. Watkins Glen International on May 9th at 4:00 PM EST, and 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. Pocono Raceway on June 13th at 4:00 PM EST, and San Diego on June 20th at 5:00 PM EST. Sonoma Raceway on June 27th at 5:30 PM EST, and Chicagoland Speedway on July 4th at 5:30 PM EST. Atlanta Motor Speedway hosts its second event on July 11th at 7:00 PM EST, and Indianapolis Motor Speedway on July 25th at 4:00 PM EST. Iowa Speedway on August 8th at 5:00 PM EST. The regular season concludes at Daytona International Speedway on August 28th at 7:30 PM EST. The playoff races include Darlington Raceway on September 5th at 7:30 PM EST, WWT Raceway on September 12th at 7:30 PM EST, Bristol Motor Speedway on September 18th at 7:30 PM EST, Las Vegas Motor Speedway on October 3rd at 7:30 PM EST, Charlotte Motor Speedway ROVAL on October 10th at 4:00 PM EST, Phoenix Raceway on October 17th at 7:30 PM EST, Talladega Superspeedway on October 24th at 3:30 PM EST, Martinsville Speedway on October 31st at 4:00 PM EST, and the season finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway on November 7th at 5:00 PM EST.

The NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, known for its aggressive racing and emerging talent, will have a significant portion of its 2026 season broadcast on FS1. The season begins at Daytona International Speedway on February 13th at 7:30 PM EST. Atlanta Motor Speedway follows on February 21st at 1:30 PM EST. The series makes a unique stop at St. Petersburg on February 28th at 12:00 PM EST on FOX. Darlington Raceway on March 20th at 7:30 PM EST, and Rockingham Speedway on April 3rd at 4:30 PM EST. Bristol Motor Speedway hosts a truck race on April 10th at 7:30 PM EST. Texas Motor Speedway on May 1st at 8:00 PM EST, and Watkins Glen International on May 8th at 4:30 PM EST. Dover Motor Speedway on May 15th at 5:00 PM EST, and Charlotte Motor Speedway on May 22nd at 7:30 PM EST. Nashville Superspeedway on May 29th at 8:00 PM EST, and Michigan International Speedway on June 6th at 1:30 PM EST. San Diego on June 19th at 7:00 PM EST. Lime Rock Park on July 11th at 1:00 PM EST, and North Wilkesboro Speedway on July 18th at 12:30 PM EST. Indianapolis Raceway Park on July 24th at 8:00 PM EST. Richmond Raceway on August 14th at 7:30 PM EST, and New Hampshire Motor Speedway on August 22nd at 1:30 PM EST. Bristol Motor Speedway hosts another truck race on September 17th at 8:00 PM EST. Kansas Speedway on September 26th at 1:00 PM EST, and Charlotte Motor Speedway ROVAL on October 9th at 5:00 PM EST. Phoenix Raceway on October 16th at 7:30 PM EST, and Talladega Superspeedway on October 23rd at 4:00 PM EST. Martinsville Speedway on October 30th at 6:00 PM EST, and the season finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway on November 6th at 7:30 PM EST.

This comprehensive schedule ensures fans across multiple networks and platforms will have ample opportunity to follow their favorite drivers and teams throughout the 2026 NASCAR season. The inclusion of new broadcast partners and the expansion of night racing signals NASCAR’s continued commitment to evolving its fan experience.