While the Kyles – Busch and Larson – along with their children are in Tulsa dirt track racing; much of the NASCAR community are busy preparing for the 2026 season that will bring a number of changes from new tracks to a merry-go-round of driver changes.
The season gets under way unofficially on February 1 with the annual Busch Light Shootout in its return to Bowman Gray Stadium.
Among the track changes are the addition of a street race for the Craftsman Truck Series, no more street racing in Chicago as the series returns to the oval at Chicagoland Speedway, and the addition of a new street race on the Naval base in San Diego at Coronado. And no, the aircraft carriers docked in the harbour are not a part of the course!
After hosting the annual All Star Race, North Wilkesboro returns to the schedule; but this time as a points race.
This year the Monster Mile at Dover, Delaware will host the All Star Race.
And Homestead-Miami returns to end the season after six years out in the desert of Phoenix, Arizona.
One of a number of schedule changes, the drivers will not be facing the summer heat on the road course at Watkins Glen International but will run the race in the spring on May 10…and hope the snow has abated.
NASCAR has finally agreed to increase the horsepower…at least for some races…in 2026. Road courses and tracks under 1.5 miles will get a power increase from 670 to 750 horsepower. NASCAR hopes the changes will increase passing opportunities and tire management.
Ome of is no longer the primary sponsor for the series. O’Reilly Auto Parts has taken over the sponsorship to rename the series the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series.
Last season teen driver Connor Zilisch dominated the Xfinity Series winning 10 races driving for JR Motorsports, but falling a little short of the championship. For 2026,the 19 year old driver is joining the Cup Series to drive the number 88 car for Trackhouse Racing. Zilisch joins “Melon Man” Ross Chastain and Kiwi driver Shane van Gisbergen at Trackhouse.
No longer a part of Trackhouse Racing, Daniel Suarez takes over the driving duties of the number seven car at Spire Motorsports to join new teammates Michael McDowell and Carson Hocevar.
After breaking a leg in a skiing accident, RFK Racking co-owner Brad Keselowski is hoping to be ready to race when the season starts to join RFK drivers Ryan Preece and Chris Buescher in a run for the playoffs after just missing out last season.
Several drivers are hoping that 2026 will be the year they finally break some extended winless streaks. Last season Joe Gibbs Racing drivers Denny Hamlin, Christopher Bell, and Chase Briscoe combined to win 13 races; but Joe Gibbs’ grandson Ty has yet to earn a win in the Cup Series after 123 race starts.
Hendrick Motorsports driver Alex Bowman is hoping to join William Byron, Chase Elliott, and reigning Cup Series champion Kyle Larson in the winner’s column this season.
Driving the number eight car for Richard Childress Racing, Kyle Busch is riding the longest losing streak of his life – over two years – and hopes that he can tap into some of those winning ways of his 10 year old son Brexton.
Last season New Zealand born driver Shane van Gisbergen tore up the track when it came to road course races – winning one by over 15 seconds -, but the three time Supercars champion never drove on an oval until he came to NASCAR. After winning six road course races and a playoff birth last season, van Gisbergen is looking to notch at least one win on the ovals this season in the 97 car for Trackhouse Racing.
A year he’d rather forget – both on and off the track – Tyler Reddick is hoping that his 2025 slump on the track and severe medical issues with his son are behind him and that he can again put 23XI Racing in the winning column; along with teammate Bubba Wallace.
Reigning Cup Series champion Kyle Larson has stated that he will not be “doing the double” again this year after two failed attempts.