Darlington Raceway in South Carolina is slated to host the opening event of The Chase for the NASCAR Cup Series and the O’Reilly Series in September 2026, marking the start of a pivotal stretch in the season.
September 2026 NASCAR Schedule
The weekend of September 5 and 6, 2026 will feature a full slate of activities, with NASCAR O’Reilly Series practice and qualifying slated for 1:30 PM and 2:35 PM Eastern Time on Saturday, followed by NASCAR Cup Series practice and qualifying at 4:00 PM and 5:10 PM Eastern Time, also on Saturday.
Broadcast coverage will be split across multiple platforms: the O’Reilly Series race will air on CW, the ESPN app and MRN at 7:30 PM Eastern on Saturday, while the Cup Series race will be televised on USA, HBO Max and MRN at 5:00 PM Eastern on Sunday.
In the current NASCAR Cup Series standings, Denny Hamlin sits at the top with 2,100 points, establishing a clear lead as the series heads into the Darlington opener.
Ryan Blaney follows closely with 2,075 points, and Tyler Reddick rounds out the top three with 2,065 points, underscoring a tight battle for position early in the Chase.
Other notable contenders in the top ten include Chase Briscoe, Christopher Bell and Kyle Larson, each poised to make an impact at the historic 1.366‑mile oval.
Ryan Preece, who entered the Chase with 2,000 points, has been eliminated, highlighting the high stakes of the upcoming race.
Darlington Raceway, a 1.366‑mile track renowned for its rich NASCAR heritage, will serve as the stage for this season‑opening showdown, promising intense competition on its famed turns.