The 2026 Dollar Tree 301 NASCAR Cup Series race is set for August 23 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, marking a key date on the season’s calendar and drawing fans from across the United States.
When the green flag drops
Coverage will begin with the Countdown to Green pre‑race show at 2:30 p.m. Eastern Time, followed by live race action at 3 p.m. ET on USA Network, ensuring viewers can experience every lap as it happens.
USA Sports has secured a substantial portion of the 2026 NASCAR schedule, adding fourteen Cup Series dates and the full Chase playoff calendar to its lineup, underscoring a deepening partnership with the sport.
A veteran lineup behind the microphone
Veteran play‑by‑play announcer Leigh Diffey will share the booth with NASCAR Hall of Famer Jeff Burton and former series champion Steve Letarte, bringing decades of insight and analysis to the broadcast.
From pit road, reporters Kim Coon and Dave Burns will provide live updates, while Trevor Bayne, the 2021 Daytona 500 winner, will serve as the pace‑car analyst, adding a driver’s perspective to the pre‑race festivities.
Jeff Burton, a native of Virginia, previously claimed four Cup Series victories at New Hampshire Motor Speedway between 1997 and 2000, a record that lends personal resonance to his commentary.
Beyond the race
After the final checkered flag, the broadcast will transition to a documentary titled Enduring Spirit, the concluding chapter of the NASCAR AMERICANA series, which examines the sport’s evolution and cultural footprint.
The film spotlights the experiences of 2026 Daytona 500 champion Tyler Reddick and three‑time Cup Series winner Bubba Wallace during the Anduril 250, a race staged on a U.S. Naval base, illustrating how the series blends tradition with new frontiers.
Together, the expanded schedule, the seasoned commentary team and the reflective documentary aim to reinforce NASCAR’s commitment to storytelling while reaching a broader audience across the United States.