It is a weird year for NASCAR. Honestly, if you still call it the "Xfinity Series," you're technically behind the times. As of right now in early 2026, we are officially in the era of the NASCAR O'Reilly Auto Parts Series. New name, same high-octane chaos, but a 2026 nascar xfinity race schedule that looks a lot different than what we saw just a couple of years ago.
Everything kicked off back in February at Daytona, like it always does. But the middle and end of this season? That's where things get interesting. We’ve got street races on military bases and a championship finale that isn't in the desert anymore.
The Rebrand and the Big Kickoff
The sponsorship shift to O'Reilly Auto Parts was a massive deal when it was announced in late 2025. It ended a decade-long run with Xfinity. Most fans are still adjusting. You'll hear the announcers slip up constantly.
The season started on Saturday, February 14, at Daytona International Speedway. If you missed the United Rentals 300, you missed a classic superspeedway mess. From there, the series took a fast trip to Atlanta on February 21 and COTA on February 28. COTA remains one of the few road courses left on the schedule, as NASCAR actually cut the road course count down from seven to five this year.
Why the 2026 Schedule Feels Different
Basically, NASCAR decided to play the hits while trying something totally bizarre. The most talked-about addition is the Anduril 250 on June 20. It's not at a traditional track. They are racing on a street course at Naval Base Coronado in San Diego. It’s part of a massive push to bring the sport to Southern California after Auto Club Speedway was sidelined.
Also, Chicagoland is back.
After sitting empty since 2019, the 1.5-mile tri-oval in Joliet hosted the July 4 race this year. It’s a nostalgia trip for anyone who missed that "perfect" intermediate racing from the mid-2000s.
Key Dates You Need to Know
The schedule is packed, but these are the ones people are actually searching for:
- Rockingham Speedway: April 4. Yes, "The Rock" is back for points-paying racing.
- Talladega: April 25. Always a gamble for the playoff bubble.
- Nashville Superspeedway: May 30. Expect high temps and concrete burns.
- Indianapolis Motor Speedway: July 25. They’re staying on the oval (The Brickyard), not the road course.
- Daytona (Summer): Friday, August 28. This is the regular-season finale. The "Chase" starts right after.
The Return of the "Chase"
NASCAR did something controversial this January. They scrapped the "win-and-you’re-in" playoff format we've had since 2014. We are back to a version of the Chase for the Championship.
The top 16 drivers on points after the August Daytona race made the cut. No more lucky wins by a 20th-place driver getting them a ticket to the postseason. It's about consistency again. The points are staggered based on the regular-season standings, which gives a huge advantage to the guys who dominated the spring and summer.
The Playoff Run: No More Phoenix Finale
For years, we got used to the season ending in the Arizona heat. Not in 2026.
The nascar xfinity race schedule (well, O'Reilly Series schedule) concludes at Homestead-Miami Speedway on November 7. Moving the finale back to South Florida is a win for most fans. The multi-groove racing at Homestead is arguably the best in the country. Before we get there, the playoffs run through:
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- Darlington (Sept 5)
- St. Louis / Gateway (Sept 12)
- Bristol Night Race (Sept 18)
- Las Vegas (Oct 3)
- Charlotte ROVAL (Oct 10) – The cutoff for the Round of 12.
- Phoenix (Oct 17)
- Talladega (Oct 24)
- Martinsville (Oct 31)
Where to Watch
The CW is the exclusive home for the series this year. Every single race is on The CW. Start times are mostly landing in that 3:00 PM to 7:30 PM ET window. If you're looking for the Bristol Night Race on September 18 or the Las Vegas playoff opener, they are both 7:30 PM ET starts.
Actionable Tips for Fans
If you're planning to attend a race or just want to keep up with the 2026 season:
- Check the "Short Track Package": NASCAR is running a specific aero package at Bristol, Darlington, Dover, Nashville, New Hampshire, and St. Louis. It's meant to make passing easier on the tight turns.
- Get The CW App: Since the broadcast moved entirely to The CW, you don't necessarily need a massive cable package anymore, but you do need a stable stream for the Saturday afternoon windows.
- Watch the Rookies: Keep an eye on Connor Zilisch and Rajah Caruth. Zilisch is splitting time in the JR Motorsports No. 1 car before he goes full-time Cup next year, and Caruth is doing a full-season split between JRM and Jordan Anderson Racing.
Keep an eye on the weather for the upcoming spring stretch through Martinsville and Bristol. These early-season short-track races are going to define who has the points cushion to survive the "Chase" when it starts in Darlington.