2026 NASCAR Season Set for Major Overhaul
The 2026 NASCAR Cup Series season marks the second year of a seven‑year, $7.7 billion broadcast agreement that unites Fox, NBC, Amazon Prime Video and TNT Sports. The deal, first struck in 2023, guarantees a massive financial commitment that reshapes how races are delivered to viewers across the United States and beyond.
Under the new arrangement, Fox’s traditional opening slate has been trimmed from 18 to 14 events, creating space for Prime Video’s mid‑season package and TNT’s expanded role. While Prime Video previously aired five races — including the iconic Coca‑Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway — those dates have now been transferred to TNT, which will also host the In‑Season Challenge.
The schedule will welcome fresh venues. A new street‑circuit race is slated for Qualcomm Circuit, also known as the Coronado Street Course, on the Naval Base Coronado. Chicagoland Speedway will stage its first event since 2019, taking over the former Chicago Street Course slot in the second round. Additionally, North Wilkesboro Speedway makes a historic return to the points‑race calendar for the first time since 1996, filling the spot left by Dover Motor Speedway’s All‑Star Race.
Other notable swaps include the relocation of Sonoma Raceway and Atlanta Motor Speedway (now branded EchoPark Speedway) within the In‑Season Challenge, and the continuation of the Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway to close out the season. Dover Motor Speedway will host May’s All‑Star Race, while North Wilkesboro takes over the May date previously held by Dover.
Broadcast Coverage and Upcoming Race
The broadcast booth remains unchanged, featuring the familiar trio of Adam Alexander, Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Steve Letarte. Their commentary will accompany NBC’s 14‑race slate, which begins at Iowa Speedway on August 9, with ten races airing on USA Network and four on the main NBC network.
This Sunday, June 28, Sonoma Raceway will host the Toyota Save Mart 350, with live coverage kicking off at 3:30 p.m. ET on TNT. The event promises a fresh mix of competition and the continued evolution of NASCAR’s media partnership model.