The 2026 NASCAR Cup Series will head to New Hampshire Motor Speedway for the 25th race of the season, the Dollar Tree 301, on August 23. Live coverage is slated to begin on USA Network at 3:00 p.m. Eastern Time, promising a full‑throttle afternoon of racing on the 1.058‑mile intermediate oval.
Qualifying Gets a New Look
Unlike the short tracks that employ a two‑lap shootout, this event will use a single‑lap qualifying run for each driver. The order in which competitors take to the track is determined by a metric that blends each driver’s most recent result at Richmond Raceway with their owner standings, creating a fresh strategic layer for teams.
The lineup will look different this year. Garage 66, fielded by MBM Motorsports with driver Josh Bilicki in the No. 66, has been withdrawn from the entry list, leaving the field at 36 chartered cars. The removal marks the fourth race of the year — and the third on an oval — where the grid will be limited to the series‑approved charter entries.
Adding a touch of nostalgia, Legacy Motor Club will run the No. 40 car for John Hunter Nemechek in a special paint scheme that celebrates Dollar Tree’s 40th anniversary as a team partner. The livery, unveiled earlier this year, pays homage to the retailer’s long‑standing support since January 2024.
The race also represents a scheduling shift that has generated buzz among fans. After being removed from the playoff calendar in 2025, the New Hampshire event has been restored to the regular season for 2026, a move that underscores its enduring place in the NASCAR calendar.