NASCAR is set to make its long‑awaited return to Nashville this weekend, bringing the Cracker Barrel 400 to the historic Nashville Superspeedway on Sunday, May 31.
The event arrives in the wake of Kyle Busch’s tragic passing, and the racing community will honor the two‑time champion throughout the weekend.
A Tribute in Paint and Pole Position
Ricky Stenhouse Jr. will drive a Chevrolet livery that echoes Busch’s former No. 8 car, a visual homage that fans will recognize from the moment the green flag drops.
Denny Hamlin will lead the field from the pole, entering the race as the pre‑race favorite after clinching his best qualifying position of the season.
Ryan Blaney, who captured last year’s Nashville Cup Series victory, will look to defend his title on the 1.33‑mile D‑shaped oval.
Streaming Without a Traditional Broadcast
For the first time in recent memory, the Cracker Barrel 400 will not be shown on linear television; instead, fans can watch the action live on Amazon Prime Video and HBO Max, both of which have secured exclusive streaming rights.
The race will commence at 7 p.m. Eastern Time (6 p.m. local) in Lebanon, Tennessee, and will consist of 300 laps divided into three stages — Stage 1 of 90 laps, Stage 2 of 95 laps, and a final Stage 3 of 115 laps.
Tyler Reddick currently tops the 2026 driver standings, adding extra intrigue to a field that also includes Austin Hill, who will pilot the No. 8 Chevrolet that once belonged to Kyle Busch.
Denny Hamlin is not only a competitor but also a co‑owner of Tyler Reddick’s Team 23XI Racing, a venture he shares with basketball legend Michael Jordan.
The combination of on‑track competition, heartfelt tributes, and unconventional broadcasting promises a unique spectacle that will test both driver skill and fan engagement.