The 2026 NASCAR Cup Series schedule just dropped, and it’s shaking things up in a big way. Fans are in for a wild ride with a mix of fresh venues, returning favorites, and a championship finale that’s got everyone talking. From a street race on a Navy base to a new playoff structure, here’s the lowdown on what’s coming, straight from Jordan Bianchi’s mouth.
Kicking things off, the season starts February 1 with the Clash exhibition at Bowman Gray Stadium, followed by the Daytona 500 on February 15. After 36 points-paying races and a couple of showcases, the season wraps November 8 at Homestead-Miami Speedway. That’s a huge deal.
Homestead hasn’t hosted the championship since 2019, and it’s taking over from Phoenix as NASCAR begins rotating its finale to different tracks each year. Fans wh