NASCAR Cup Series 2026 season details and Martinsville race outlook

The 2026 NASCAR Cup Series season is scheduled to begin on February 15 with the Daytona 500 and conclude on November 8 with the championship at Homestead-Miami Speedway. The season features a broadcast arrangement involving multiple networks and streaming services, including FOX, FS1, NBC, USA Network, TNT, and Amazon Prime Video. Prime Video is expected to televise the first half of the season's practice and qualifying sessions.

As the season progresses toward its conclusion, the Xfinity 500 at Martinsville Speedway serves as a critical penultimate race. Known for its grueling, flat, paperclip-shaped layout, the track presents significant physical and technical challenges for drivers managing tire wear and heavy braking before the season finale.