NASCAR has unveiled the green‑flag times for its highly anticipated May 2026 race weekend at Charlotte Motor Speedway, promising a packed schedule that will kick off on a Friday evening and crescendo over the weekend.
A Milestone Weekend for 1.5‑Mile Tracks
The action begins on Friday, May 2026, with the NASCAR Truck Series taking the green flag at 7:52 p.m. Eastern Time, live on Fox Sports 1. The broadcast will bring the series’ signature short‑track intensity to viewers across the United States.
Saturday’s lineup features the O'Reilly Series at 5:05 p.m. ET, streamed on The CW. The timing places the race in a prime early‑evening slot, aiming to capture a broad audience as the weekend heats up.
The climax arrives on Sunday when the premier Cup Series rolls out at 6:29 p.m. ET, this time on Prime Video. The move to a streaming platform marks a significant shift in how NASCAR reaches its fans, offering a new digital home for the sport’s top tier.
Organizers note that this weekend will be the first 1.5‑mile event of its kind since the Texas Motor Speedway hosted a similar configuration, underscoring Charlotte’s role as a benchmark venue for intermediate‑size tracks.
Fans can expect a weekend of high‑octane competition, with each series bringing its own style to the track. The schedule is designed to maximize viewership across multiple platforms, reflecting NASCAR’s strategy to diversify its broadcasting partners.
With the green‑flag times now set, anticipation builds among drivers, teams, and viewers alike, all eager to see how the new format will play out on the 1.5‑mile layout.