rewrite this title Five most anticipated NASCAR races of 2026

There’s less than two weeks until NASCAR unofficially begins its season with the exhibition Cook Out Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium and less than a month until the 68th Daytona 500 officially kicks off the 2026 campaign on Feb. 15. 

Here are five of the most anticipated Cup Series races of 2026. 

5. Daytona 500 | Feb. 15 (2:30 p.m. ET, FOX) 

It’s hard to envision Daytona ever not being on this list. The 68th running of the “Great American Race” will begin another season of Cup Series racing after an offseason that saw the sport go through both tragedies and triumphs, including the introduction of a new championship format. 

NASCAR has real momentum behind it going into 2026, and another Daytona classic would only keep that momentum up as the season gets underway. 

4. NASCAR Cup Series Finale | Homestead-Miami Speedway | Nov. 8 (3 p.m. ET, NBC)

For the first time since 2019, NASCAR will conclude its season at Homestead. The 1.5-mile oval is usually home to fantastic, multi-groove action. With the return of the Chase making the 2026 championship fight an unpredictable one going into the season, Homestead could get to play host to an epic title battle in its return as the season finale. 

3. NASCAR Cup Series Race at Chicagoland Speedway | July 5 (6 p.m. ET, TNT)

Chicagoland hasn’t hosted a Cup Series race since 2019, but it will be brought back in 2026. NASCAR has raced on the streets of Chicago for the last three years, but will return to the 1.5-mile oval in Joliet, Illinois, this season. 

With NASCAR’s Next-Gen car significantly improving the racing product on intermediate tracks such as Chicagoland, hopes are high that the track’s return will see a solid on-track product that convinces NASCAR to keep Chicagoland on the schedule for years to come. 

2. Anduril 250 | Naval Base Coronado | June 21 (4 p.m. ET, Prime Video)

The Chicago Street Race might be gone, but street racing in NASCAR is not. NASCAR will take over Naval Base Coronado – situated just outside San Diego – this summer for a street race on a military base. The race keeps street racing a part of NASCAR while also coming back to a Southern California market it hasn’t raced in since 2023.

1. Window World 450 | North Wilkesboro Speedway | July 19 (7 p.m. ET, TNT)

For the first time since 1996, North Wilkesboro will play host to a NASCAR Cup Series points race. The track made its triumphant return to NASCAR in 2023 and has hosted the All-Star Race for the past three years, but is back to its rightful place as a points-paying event. 

This race will be the intersection of NASCAR’s past and present: a track that has existed since before NASCAR itself was incorporated, playing host to a primetime showdown with all of the sport’s current stars battling for the win.