NASCAR Announces 2026 Driver Lineup and Leaked 2027 Schedule

NASCAR released the full roster of 36 full‑time drivers slated for the 2026 Cup Series, confirming returns for Ross Chastain (Trackhouse Racing), Austin Cindric (Team Penske), Austin Dillon (Richard Childress Racing), Noah Gragson (Front Row Motorsports) and Kyle Larson (Hendrick Motorsports). The list also notes ongoing legal disputes over the six combined charters held by 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports, which could affect team operations beyond 2026.

Separately, an early leak of the 2027 Cup Series schedule outlines 36 race dates, beginning with the Clash at Daytona on February 13 and the Daytona 500 on February 21. The provisional calendar includes stops at traditional venues such as Atlanta, Circuit of the Americas, Talladega, and a return to North Wilkesboro, with broadcast partners Fox, FS1, NBC and Prime Sports covering the events.