The 2026 NASCAR Cup Series kicks off on February 1st with a pre-season race at Bowman Gray Stadium. The official points-scoring season begins with the Daytona 500 on February 15th and concludes with the Championship Race at Homestead-Miami Speedway on November 8th.
This marks the 25th season of the modern-era Cup Series and the 78th official NASCAR stock car season. The season features 26 point-scoring races followed by 10 playoff races.
Also read: Selected NASCAR Betting Sites
Recent Champions and Notable Achievements
Kyle Larson won his second championship in 2025, joining an elite group of drivers who have won multiple titles. Larson aims to become the first back-to-back champion since Jimmie Johnson in 2010. Only ten drivers have achieved this feat, including Johnson, who defended his title four times, and Dale Earnhardt, who did so three times.
Three legends share the record for most championships, each with seven wins: Richard Petty, Dale Earnhardt, and Jimmie Johnson. Jeff Gordon, Lee Petty, David Pearson, Cale Yarborough, Darrell Waltrip, and Tony Stewart have each won three championships.
| Year | Driver/Team | Stats |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 5. Kyle Larson (Chevrolet) Rick Hendrick (Hendrick Motorsports) |
36-1-3-22-5034 |
| 2024 | 22. Joey Logano (Ford) Roger Penske (Team Penske) |
36-3-4-12-5040 |
| 2023 | 12. Ryan Blaney (Ford) Roger Penske (Team Penske) |
36-0-3-18-5035 |
| 2022 | 22. Joey Logano (Ford) Roger Penske (Team Penske) |
36-4-4-15-5040 |
| 2021 | 5. Kyle Larson (Chevrolet) Rick Hendrick (Hendrick Motorsports) |
36-2-10-26-5040 |
| 2020 | 9. Chase Elliott (Chevrolet) Rick Hendrick (Hendrick Motorsports) |
36-1-5-22-5040 |
| 2019 | 18. Kyle Busch (Toyota) Joe Gibbs (Joe Gibbs Racing) |
36-1-5-27-5040 |
| 2018 | 22. Joey Logano (Ford) Roger Penske (Team Penske) |
36-3-3-26-5040 |
| 2017 | 78. Martin Truex Jr (Toyota) Barney Visser (Furniture Row Racing) |
36-3-8-26-5040 |
| 2016 | 48. Jimmie Johnson (Chevrolet) Rick Hendrick, Jeff Gordon (Hendrick Motorsports) |
36-1-5-16-5040 |
Manufacturer Dominance
Chevrolet has been dominant, winning the manufacturer’s championship every year since 2021. They hold a total of 44 wins, with Ford trailing at 17 wins. Toyota, joining in 2007, has won three manufacturer’s titles in 2016, 2017, and 2019.
| Year | Manufacturer | Wins |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Chevrolet | 15 |
| 2024 | Chevrolet | 15 |
| 2023 | Chevrolet | 18 |
| 2022 | Chevrolet | 19 |
| 2021 | Chevrolet | 19 |
| 2020 | Ford | 18 |
| 2019 | Toyota | 19 |
| 2018 | Ford | 19 |
| 2017 | Toyota | 16 |
| 2016 | Toyota | 16 |
Key Races and Schedules
The season starts with the Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium on February 1st, followed by the Daytona 500 on February 15th. The playoffs begin with the Cook Out Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway on September 6th and culminate with the Championship Race on November 8th.
Notable races include the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway on May 24th, the Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on July 26th, and the Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona International Speedway on August 29th.
| Round | Race |
|---|---|
|
Pre-Season 02-01-2026 |
Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium Bowman Gray Stadium in Winston-Salem, North Carolina |
|
Daytona 500 Qualifying 02-12-2026 |
Bluegreen Vacations Duel Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida |
|
Daytona 500 Qualifying 02-12-2026 |
Bluegreen Vacations Duel 2 Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida |
2026 NASCAR Cup Series Schedule – Phase 1
| Round | Race |
|---|---|
|
Round 1 02-15-2026 |
Daytona 500 Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida |
|
Round 2 02-22-2026 |
Autotrader 400 EchoPark Speedway in Hampton, Georgia |
|
Round 3 03-01-2026 |
EchoPark Automotive Grand Prix Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas |
|
Round 4 03-08-2026 |
Straight Talk Wireless 500 Phoenix Raceway in Avondale, Arizona |
|
Round 5 03-15-2026 |
Pennzoil 400 Las Vegas Motor Speedway in Las Vegas, Nevada |
|
Round 6 03-22-2026 |
Goodyear 400 Darlington Raceway in Darlington, South Carolina |
|
Round 7 03-29-2026 |
Cook Out 400 (Martinsville) Martinsville Speedway in Ridgeway, Virginia |
|
Round 8 04-12-2026 |
Food City 500 Bristol Motor Speedway in Bristol, Tennessee |
|
Round 9 04-19-2026 |
AdventHealth 400 Kansas Speedway in Kansas City, Kansas |
|
Round 10 04-26-2026 |
Jack Links 500 Talladega Superspeedway in Lincoln, Alabama |
|
Round 11 05-03-2026 |
Würth 400 Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth, Texas |
|
Round 12 05-10-2026 |
Go Bowling at The Glen Watkins Glen International in Watkins Glen, New York |
Recent Race Winners
Recent winners include Chase Elliott at the Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium, Bubba Wallace at the Bluegreen Vacations Duel, and William Byron at the Daytona 500. Christopher Bell has been a standout performer, winning multiple races in 2025.
Betting Tips and Strategies
For betting tips, consider the recent form of drivers and teams. Chevrolet’s dominance in recent years makes their drivers strong contenders. Keep an eye on Kyle Larson, who is aiming for a third championship, and Denny Hamlin, who has consistently performed well.
Look at the performance of drivers in specific tracks. For example, Chase Elliott has a strong record at Watkins Glen International, while Denny Hamlin excels at Martinsville Speedway. Analyzing past performance can provide valuable insights for betting.
Stay updated with the latest news and injuries, as these can significantly impact race outcomes. Follow the official NASCAR standings and team announcements to make informed betting decisions as well as keep track of out updates over here at TipsGG.